KARACHI: The number of cellular subscribers in Pakistan touched 80 million mark with a cellular mobile density of 50.76. Approximately 4 million subscribers were added during the two months of this year, which shows the rapid use of cellular phone in the country.
Latest figures released by the PTA show cellular phone connections reached 80.30 million mark by February 2008.
The figures gathered by the telecom watchdog show that by February 2008 Mobilink led the market with 31.36 million subscribers followed by Ufone, which was serving 16.84 million people across the country. Telenor Pakistan holds the third position with 16.01 million subscribers and Warid is at the fourth with 13.60 million subscribers. Meanwhile, the aggressively marketed Paktel has managed to grab 2.14 million subscribers.
Industry analysts are predicting that the market share in coming two months may change. Competition for the second and third place is growing fast. There is a very close tie between Ufone and Telenor. Telenor Pakistan is at 3rd place with a difference of only 833,640 subscribers. Telecom industry is booming throughout the country as two million mobile subscribers were added every month throughout the last year. Previous year the sector grew by 80 percent while average growth rate in last four years has been more than 100 percent.
Mobilink continues to remain the leading operator in the sector with maximum market share both in terms of subscribers and revenues. Among all the new entrants, Telenor has shown its strength by capturing a good market share and has left behind its closest competitor, Warid, within one month’s time to claim the second position.
Re: Number of cellphone users in Pakistan cross 80.30 million
^ perhaps that so many Pakistanis can now afford to keep cellphones, that Pakistan is progressing. How many of these subscribers are saas and bahu? As many users are bound to have multiple mobile phones are we talking of 80 million people having cellphones here or just the total number of subscribers?
Re: Number of cellphone users in Pakistan cross 80.30 million
^ I believe its total number of phone accounts (SIMs), not number of unique users. Many of my friends have 3-4 SIMs, everytime there is a new better plan from some company they'll buy SIM for that and it will get trashed later on. Since there is no track of 'active' or 'inactive' phone subscribers this number will only go up skywards.
Re: Number of cellphone users in Pakistan cross 80.30 million
^ I believe its total number of phone accounts (SIMs), not number of unique users. Many of my friends have 3-4 SIMs, everytime there is a new better plan from some company they'll buy SIM for that and it will get trashed later on. Since there is no track of 'active' or 'inactive' phone subscribers this number will only go up skywards.
People owning multiple phones or SIM cards is a fact.
However this measure of cellphone is used in the same way all over the world.
Re: Number of cellphone users in Pakistan cross 80.30 million
^ May be where 'pre-paid' (and 'calling party pays') is predominant way of keeping a cellphone account, but here in US one person has only one cell phone line.
Re: Number of cellphone users in Pakistan cross 80.30 million
Like the printing press, television and the internet, the cell phone is a fantastic tool for transformational progress. Because it gets comm facility to people without need for training, w.o need for learning a new language, works for business and non-biz and integrates seemlessly into every facet of life.
Yes it can be misused also (worst eg being as remote detonators) but 99.99999999 pct of time it is sheer progress.
I personally think cell phones are more useful for 3rd world than tv.
Re: Number of cellphone users in Pakistan cross 80.30 million
Mashallah. This is very good news. Pakistanis have never had it so good. Thanks the economic boom under the great leadership of great President Musharaf. Long may he continue.
