ISLAMABAD: The number of cellular subscribers, broadband penetration as well as teledensity declined in Pakistan during April 2023, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) data revealed.

The number of cellular subscribers in Pakistan decreased from 194.12 million by end March to 192.60 million by end April i.e. by 1.52 million. The number of 3G and 4G users in Pakistan decreased by 0.56 million from 124.85 million by end March to 124.29 million by end April 2023.

However, official sources revealed that the PTA had initiated multiple fingers biometric verification activity for stronger SIM authentication and to counter the issue of illegal SIM sales at franchise/resellers level. The exercise of biometric verification activity may result in a decline in illegal SIM issuance by operators that resulted in a decline in cellular mobile subscription.

The Monthly Next Generation Mobile Service (NGMS) penetration decreased from 52.79 percent by end March to 52.47 percent by end April. The broadband penetration decreased from 54.13 percent by end March to 53.8 percent by end April.

The cellular teledensity has declined from 82.08 percent by end March to 81.3 percent by end April. Total teledensity decreased from 83.17 percent by end March to 82.39 percent by end April.

Jazz’s total count for 3G users declined from 4.626 million by end March to 4.510 million by end April registering a decrease of 0.116 million. Jazz 4G users decreased from 42.916 million by end March to 42.588 million by end April 2023.

Zong 3G subscribers decreased from 2.643 million by end March to 2.613 million by end April, while the number of 4G users decreased from 32.312 million by end March to 32.235 million by end April.

Telenor 3G subscribers decreased from 2.939 million by end March to 2.905 million by end April while the number of 4G users of Telenor increased from 22.996 million by end March to 23.014 million by end April.

Ufone 3G users stood at 2.745 million by end April compared to 2.811 million by end March. The number of 4G users of Ufone increased from 12.169 million by end March to 12.245 million by end April, registering a 0.192 million increase during the period under review.

The PTA received 13,291 complaints from telecom consumers against different telecom operators and cellular operators in April 2023, out of which, 13,192 (99.3 percent) were resolved.

Official data revealed that the complaints were received against various telecom operators, including cellular mobile operators (CMOs), Pakistan Telecommunications Company Limited (PTCL), long-distance international (LDI) operators, wireless local loop (WLL) operators, and internet service providers (ISPs), during April.

Cellular mobile subscribers constitute a major part of the overall telecom subscriber base. Therefore, the maximum number of complaints belongs to this segment. The total number of complaints against CMOs by April stood at 12,886, out of which, 12,837 (99.6 per cent) were addressed.

According to the PTA data, 5,438 complaints were received against Jazz, out of which, 5,427 (99.8 per cent) were resolved. Further, 2,283 complaints against Telenor were received, out of which, 2,280 (99.9 percent) were resolved.

Likewise, 3,981 complaints were received against Zong, out of which, 3,970 (99.7 per cent) were addressed. A total of 1,176 complaints were received against Ufone, out of which 1153 (98 per cent) were resolved.

The PTA also received 94 complaints against basic telephony, out of which, 78 were addressed during April, for a resolution rate of 83 percent. Furthermore, 306 complaints were received against ISPs, of which, 273 (89.2 percent) were addressed.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2023