Subscriber Count Dwindles
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s latest data reveals a decrease in cellular subscribers in November 2024. The total number of users fell from 193.309 million in October to 193.238 million, showcasing a downward trend in connectivity.
3G and 4G Usage Trends
The number of active 3G and 4G users in Pakistan dropped from 139.123 million in October to 139.037 million by November’s end. Simultaneously, the NGMS penetration rate saw a slight decrease from 57.02% to 56.9%.
Teledensity Decline
The total teledensity, which is a key indicator of telecom accessibility, reduced from 80.3% to 80.1% within the same period.
Telco Performance Overview
- Jazz: Jazz reported a steep decline in its 3G subscriber base, from 2.08 million to 1.54 million. On the flip side, its 4G users rose from 49.861 million to 50.19 million.
- Zong: While Zong’s 3G user count dropped slightly from 1.89 million to 1.86 million, its 4G subscribers grew from 38.12 million to 38.30 million.
- Telenor: Telenor experienced declines in both segments, with 3G subscribers falling from 1.434 million to 1.388 million and 4G users decreasing from 25.478 million to 25.428 million.
- Ufone: Ufone witnessed a minor dip in 3G users, from 2.10 million to 2.047 million, while its 4G subscribers saw a slight increase from 16.43 million to 16.47 million.
Shifts in Consumer Behavior
The declining figures reflect shifting consumer behavior, with users possibly transitioning to 4G-only networks or waiting for 5G rollouts. Economic constraints and market competition may also play a role in these changes.
