150.3 million Pakistanis have access to cellular subscriptions, PTA report

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announced on 23rd June that the number of cellular service subscribers has reached the mark of 150.3 million across the country.

PTA Chairman Muhammad Naveed had issued orders for making the report which highlights the authority’s telecommunication performance over the years. According to the report, the number of mobile service subscribers increased by 10.5 million during the first five months of the current year 2018. The figure is showing a steady upward trend for past 7 years.

Image courtesy: Dawn News

Starting from 2011, here is the trajectory of cellular service subscribers in Pakistan,

• 2011-2012: 120.2 million
• 2012-2013: 127.7 million
• 2013-2014: 140 million
• 2014-2015: 114.7 million (decline due to the introduction of biometric verification system)
• 2015-2016: 133.2 million
• 2016-2017: 139.8 million
• 2017-May 2018: 150.3 million

The report further reveals that as on May 2018, there were 55.5 million mobile broadband subscribers and 57.74 million broadband subscribers in Pakistan. PTA is also expediting the launch of 5G technology in Pakistan, which is all set to be commercially available by the year 2020. Last year, the federal cabinet has approved the launch of 5G technology in the country. Cabinet has also directed PTA to conduct initial tests for 5G.

The current population of Pakistan is approximately 200 million and out of which 150.3 million have an access to the cellular subscription. This gives further evidence to the fact that Pakistan is rising as a strong digital economy on the global map.