ISLAMABAD: The number of cellular subscribers, broadband penetration as well as teledensity declined in Pakistan for the second consecutive month in May 2023, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) data revealed.
The number of cellular subscribers in Pakistan decreased from 192.60 million by end-April to 192.27 million by end-May. The number of 3G and 4G users in Pakistan decreased by 0.18 million from 124.29 million by end-April 2023 to 124.11 million by end-May.
The Monthly Next Generation Mobile Service (NGMS) penetration decreased from 52.47 per cent by end-April to 52.3 per cent by end-May.
The cellular teledensity has declined from 81.3 per cent by end April to 81.03 per cent by end May. Total teledensity decreased from 82.39 per cent by end April to 82.12 per cent by end May.
Jazz’s total count for 3G users declined from 4.510 million by end April to 4.445 million registering a decrease of 0.065 million. Jazz 4G users decreased from 42.588 million by end April 2023 to 42.377 million by end May.
Zong 3G subscribers decreased from 2.613 million by end April to 2.577 million by end May, while the number of 4G users increased from 32.235 million by end April to 32.298 million by end May.
Telenor 3G subscribers decreased from 2.905 million by end April to 2.841 million by end May while the number of 4G users of Telenor decreased from 23.014 million by end April to 22.934 million by end May.
Ufone 3G users stood at 2.705 million by end May compared to 2.745 million by end April. The number of 4G users of Ufone increased from 12.245 million by end April to 12.498 million, registering a 0.253 million increase during the period under review.
The PTA received 14945 complaints from telecom consumers against different telecom operators and cellular operators in May 2023, out of which, 14,858 (99.4per cent) 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 May.
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 May stood at 14332, out of which, 14286 (99.7 per cent) were addressed.
According to the PTA data, 6,158 complaints were received against Jazz, out of which, 6,153 (99.9 per cent) were resolved. Further, 2,416 complaints against Telenor were received, out of which, 2,414 (99.9 per cent) were resolved. Likewise, 4276 complaints were received against Zong, out of which, 4,256 (99.5 per cent) were addressed. A total of 1,480 complaints were received against Ufone, out of which 1,461 (98.7 per cent) were resolved.
The PTA also received 140 complaints against basic telephony, out of which, 130 were addressed during May, for a resolution rate of 92.9per cent. Furthermore, 457 complaints were received against ISPs, of which, 429 (93.9per cent) were addressed.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2023