Pakistan's 3G 4G New Subscriptions Accelerate in September 2015
Monthly new subscriptions of 3G and 4G in Pakistan doubled to 2.22 million in September 2015, up from 1.1 million new subscribers in August 2015. This brings the total number of mobile broadband subscribers to 18.04 million and total of all broadband subscriptions to 21.2 million since 3G-4G launch in May 2014, according to the latest data released by Pakistan Telecommunications Authority.
Increasing use of the Internet is now being put to good use to deal with the tragic aftermath of the the earthquake in Pakistan. Facebook and Google have set up special pages to help people find each other.
Demand for smartphones is also accelerating in Pakistan along with the rise in mobile broadband subscriptions. Forecasters estimate the number of smartphone sales to increase to 40 million by next year.
Overall, 3G and 4G subscriptions in Pakistan jumped 14.43 % during September 2015, the highest sequential monthly increase in the past six months. Among the carriers, Mobilink topped with 878,107 new mobile broadband customers, followed by Ufone with 637,131 new 3G users during September 2015. Telenor is number 3 with 393,969 new 3G users during the month.
Coming on the heels of data indicating 72% jump in car sales and 17% rise in cement consumption, this data on 2.22 million new mobile broadband subscriptions in September is yet another confirmation of Pakistan's ongoing economic recovery.
Related Links:
Haq's Musings
Pakistan Car Sales Jump 72%; Cement Consumption Up 17%
iPhone 6 and 6S Launched in Pakistan
Pakistan Government Deploys Mobile Apps
E-Commerce Taking Off in Pakistan
Haier Pakistan to Manufacture Smartphones
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| Mobile Broadband Subscriptions in Pakistan Source: PTA |
Increasing use of the Internet is now being put to good use to deal with the tragic aftermath of the the earthquake in Pakistan. Facebook and Google have set up special pages to help people find each other.
Demand for smartphones is also accelerating in Pakistan along with the rise in mobile broadband subscriptions. Forecasters estimate the number of smartphone sales to increase to 40 million by next year.
Overall, 3G and 4G subscriptions in Pakistan jumped 14.43 % during September 2015, the highest sequential monthly increase in the past six months. Among the carriers, Mobilink topped with 878,107 new mobile broadband customers, followed by Ufone with 637,131 new 3G users during September 2015. Telenor is number 3 with 393,969 new 3G users during the month.
Coming on the heels of data indicating 72% jump in car sales and 17% rise in cement consumption, this data on 2.22 million new mobile broadband subscriptions in September is yet another confirmation of Pakistan's ongoing economic recovery.
Related Links:
Haq's Musings
Pakistan Car Sales Jump 72%; Cement Consumption Up 17%
iPhone 6 and 6S Launched in Pakistan
Pakistan Government Deploys Mobile Apps
E-Commerce Taking Off in Pakistan
Haier Pakistan to Manufacture Smartphones
Comments
The country now has 18 million 3G and 4G users after adding 2.24 million in September – its fastest growth in six months, according to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
The growth comes despite the government doubling the sales tax on various categories of imported mobile handsets in June to PKR300-1,000 ($3-$10) from PKR150-500 ($1.50-$5.00). It also introduced a 19.5 per cent sales tax on internet usage earlier in the year.
Market leader Mobilink added 1.25 million 3G users in Q3, while number 2 Telenor picked up 1.32 million. Zong, owned by China Mobile, saw its 3G and 4G connections expand by 968,000, and Ufone (run by state-owned PTCL) added 948,000 3G users, PTA reported.
Competition has intensified in the 3G market over the past year, with Telenor taking a 31 per cent share in Q3, followed by Mobilink with a 28 per cent share, Zong (19 per cent) and Ufone (18 per cent), ProPakistani said. A year ago Telenor had just a 13.5 per cent share of the 3G market.
The four operators had a 90 per cent market share at the end of September, according to GSMA Intelligence. 3G and 4G connections represent 13 per cent of the country’s 138 million mobile connections
Zong launched 4G service less than a year ago and had 194,000 connections in Q3, while Warid Telecom, with an 8.5 per cent market share, had 160,000 4G users.
http://www.mobileworldlive.com/asia/asia-news/pakistans-3g4g-users-jump-33-in-q3/
Today, Uber’s career page points to a few interesting vacancies, which would suggest they’re set to enter Pakistan. The online taxi behemoth is looking for a “general manager”, “operations and logistics manager”, and a “marketing manager,” for Lahore, the country’s second-largest city. When, or if, it will arrive is still not 100 percent clear, but this is a promising sign.
I’ve argued before about how Pakistan’s growth trajectory seems to suggest it’s a market ripe for disruption in the online taxi hailing space. Macroeconomic conditions aren’t very different to those of India, where Uber recently announced plans to invest US$1 billion in an effort to wrest control. And this is a market generally exploding all over Asia, with three unicorns in China alone.
Pakistan, with an estimated population of 200 million, is a market largely untapped when it comes to taxi apps. There have been efforts in the past, with Rocket Internet-backed EasyTaxi as well as homegrown startups such as Savaaree, but they’ve largely failed to make enough of a dent. However, with explosive growth of high-speed internet and Uber’s demonstrated willingness to tweak its model for accepting cash payments, there seems to be no reason why a concerted effort won’t work in Pakistan.
The Internet Society, in partnership with the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority, will host INET Islamabad, 16-18 November 2015. Bringing together more than 250 participants representing government, Internet service providers, mobile operators, academia, financial institutions, ICT entrepreneurs and the general public, the forum will lay out Pakistan’s Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) agenda as a way of accelerating the development of the country’s digital economy and advancing sustainable development.
INET Islamabad reinforces Pakistan’s Vision 2025—a set of policy reforms which has recognized the role of ICTs in modernizing the public sector, and in expanding and expediting the delivery of public services to its citizens. “Pakistan has recently shown tremendous growth potential in broadband services, and the economy is starting to see the benefits of this growth. This interactive forum will acquaint the local community with Internet challenges and how to engage in addressing these concerns,” said Dr. Syed Ismail Shah, Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority.
Pakistan has been making headway particularly in financial inclusion through digital means, launching its first dedicated strategy in May following the success of mobile banking programs like EasyPaisa. It also recently joined the United Nations-based Better Than Cash Alliance.
Rajnesh Singh, Regional Bureau Director for Asia-Pacific at the Internet Society, explained: “Pakistan now stands at the cusp of breaking into a digital economy and needs to make informed choices in fostering an environment that can use the Internet and Internet-based technologies to help drive economic and social development. We hope that forums such as INET Islamabad will contribute to this progress.”
The two-day conference will feature both international and national subject matter experts with broad experience, globally and nationally, in ICT policymaking and development. Some of the key topics that will be discussed are: infrastructure and connectivity for sustainable development; e-Gov architecture, standards, interoperability and implementation; building trust in cyberspace; growth of the ICT industry; and digital financial inclusion.
To view the complete list of sessions, speakers and panelists, please follow this link. You may also view the live webcast and follow INET Islamabad on social media using the Twitter hashtag #INETISB.
The total broadband subscribers including for 3G and 4G services have crossed around the 23.6 million mark in the country, registering a reasonable growth rate with each passing month.
As per latest market figures, the 3G and 4G subscribers also reached 20.6 million by November this year.
In September this year, highest growth rate of 14.43% was by cellular companies, which have added 2.35 million 3G/4G subscribers.
A senior PTA official on Friday revealed the number of broadband subscribers in other technologies are DSL 1,563,321 users, HFC 43,929 users, Wimax 245,284 users, FTTH 20,549 users, EvDo 1,273,184 users and others 6,160 users.
Experts of telecom industry are having a viewpoint that portable mobile broadband devices like MiFi and Wingles are one of the main reasons of this growth in 3G/4G subscribers and many more will follow this trend in upcoming days.
In the context of upcoming 3G/4G auctions for Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) regions, these stats are really encouraging for the mobile phone companies that depict the increasing demand of these technologies across the country.
Meanwhile, the country’s largest mobile phone operator, Mobilink, has overtaken its competitors to become the number one 3G player after official figures were released by Pakistan Telecom Authority (PTA).
Mobilink crossed the six million 3G subscribers mark during the 4th quarter of 2015. Mobilink Marketing Vice President Asif Aziz said key to this leading position is consistent investment to further innovate on behalf of subscribers by delivering not just the best 3G and voice network, but also improvements in customer service, and product lines.
He said to support its 3G services, Mobilink has in place a robust fibre optic infrastructure that expands to over 6,000 kilometres coupled with the latest technology, state-of-the-art equipment and a
well versed team of professionals.
Its 3G network connects millions of people every day who use their smartphones for education, businesses, communication, entertainment, E-learning and most importantly enjoy ready access to internet on the go for easy access to knowledge.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/business/12-Dec-2015/broadband-subscribers-cross-23-6-million-mark-in-pakistan
http://www.brecorder.com/pakistan/business-a-economy/292097-share-of-smartphones-in-devices-import-touches-30pc-mark.html
Smartphones have registered around 30 percent share in overall cellular mobile devices imported in the country during last year which was only 7 percent in 2012.
In next two years, smartphones are expected to cross 55% of mobile phone imports in Pakistan as their adoption is expected to grow further due to expanding 3G and 4G networks.
A report issued by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) revealed that smartphone has become a major source for innovation and new age of enhanced mobile phone use in personal life.
With introduction of larger screen-sizes, consumers are finding smartphones a convenient way to complete many activities what they used to do manually or through desktops.
Therefore, larger screen phones are an accelerator for increasing adoption o smartphone.
Companies are developing their mobile websites, which will further enhance consumer experience on smartphones.
Greater functionality, rich features and enhanced interfaces make the consumer experience on smartphones much more attractive than the features available on a desktop.
The report said share of internet activities through smartphones will grow in near future.Smartphones are more convenient to use and the younger generation has quickly adapted to use of smartphones.
The fall in smartphone prices and mobile data cost has also increased the adoption of smartphones in developing countries.
According to GSMA Intelligence data forecast, global smartphone adoption is expected to increase massively in coming years particularly in developing markets.Smartphone penetration in Asia- Pacific region has reached around 40 % in 2014, and forecast is that this will rise to 65 % by 2020.
Similarly, worldwide smartphone penetration was 50%, which is expected to increase to over 73% by 2020.
Availability of next generation mobile services after the auction of 3G and 4G spectrum in Pakistan in April 2014 has rapidly increased the adoption of smartphone in the society.During 2015, 123 percent increase in smartphone shipment to Pakistan.
Cellular mobile operators have also collaborated with smartphone manufacturers to promote smartphone usage in Pakistan.Companies have also started developing mobile apps and mobile websites keeping in view the fast adoption of smartphones in the country, which will increase the smartphone usage in future.
3G/4G subscriptions have more than doubled in less than a year, from 14,614,411 in July 2015 to 29,748,666 in May 2016.
http://www.pta.gov.pk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=269:telecom-indicators&catid=124:industry-report&Itemid=599
The number of 3G/4G subscriptions increased from 28,676,081 at the end of April 2016 to 29,748,666 at the end of May 2016, an increase of 1,072,505 subscribers in the month of May 2016.
PTA said 544,803 phone users switched to 3G services on the Mobilink network, 255,048 on Telenor network, 150,990 on Zone network and 47,147 mobile phone users moved to 3G services on Ufone network in May.
Zong recorded new subscription of 45,737 users on 4G network, while Warid registered new subscription of 28,860 users on LTE (4G) network in May 2016.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/1124334/subscriptions-3g4g-users-3-74-growth-slowing/
One of the most surprising trends was a disparity in the cost of Internet access in developing nations: Pakistan had the most affordable Internet access delivered via broadband or mobile networks, with Vietnam and India also in the top 10 most affordable. Other developing countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, placed near the bottom.
Overall, the report found a disparity between consumers' desire for technology and the capability of businesses and governments to provide it. "In recent years, digital innovation has been primarily driven by consumer demand," the report said. "Yet this increasing demand for digital products and services by a global consumer base is largely being met by a relatively small number of companies."
BEIJING — China's ZTE is expanding its partnership in Pakistan to extend digital television services into more regions of the country, including in remote mountainous areas, Zhang Zhenhui, executive vice president at the company, told CNBC.
The Shenzhen-based tech and telecom company will sign the agreement on Sunday at China's Belt and Road Forum, a two-day meeting on the country's major foreign policy initiative.
"This is a project with significant importance, as it provides telecommunication services to many Pakistani people, including ones that live in rural and remote areas," Zhang said. "This is a key strategic project by the two governments, and ZTE serves as the bond between the two nations."
China's ambitious "One Belt, One Road" policy is a plan that aims to connect Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa with a vast logistics and transport network. It's set to use roads, ports, railway tracks, pipelines, airports, electric grids and even fiber optic lines. If successful, it would allow China to increase its global influence and find a way to find further growth as the domestic economy slows.
For companies like ZTE, this means a major opportunity to continue expanding abroad, especially with the backing of the Chinese government.
"We believe the policy will greatly support the company's next phase of international expansion," Zhang said.
ZTE already operates in more than 160 countries, and nearly half of the firm's revenues come from its international business. Pakistan has long been an important market for ZTE — the company has worked with local partners to build and upgrade the country's telecoms' 2G, 3G and 4G networks, and opened a research and development center back in 2006.
Pakistan is also an important part of China's "One Belt, One Road" strategy: The world's second-largest economy has already launched a collection of infrastructure projects there worth $46 billion, named the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
Zhang said ZTE is optimistic about its 2017 business prospects after posting a strong first quarter with a nearly 28 percent jump in net profit, and that the company will continue to invest heavily in developing 5G networks, with the aim to roll out by 2020.
"5G will be ZTE's champion product … we will be the leader," Zhang said.
The strong start to the year is a sign the company is rebounding after pleading guilty and paying in March around $1 billion in fines to the U.S. government to settle allegations that it violated U.S. laws on selling American technology to Iran. The penalty payment dented earnings — the company posted a 2.36 billion yuan net loss for 2016.
Although the U.S. hasn't officially signed on to China's initiative, a delegation is participating in the Beijing meeting. And U.S.-China trade relations continue to hang in the balance, though officials and business leaders on both sides have worked to maintain optimism about continuing a long relationship.
ZTE's Zhang echoed those sentiments: "I believe in many years from now, the China and U.S. economies will embrace even deeper ties and cooperation."