By Romail Kenneth
KARACHI: In the first three months of 2008 more than 5.6 million mobile subscribers were added, registering an increase of 6.82 percent. Figures released by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) show.
Total number of subscribers now stands at 82 million with a mobile density of 52.16. In December 2007, the mobile phone subscribers stood at 76.88 million.
Ufone retained its second position with 17.19 million subscribers followed by Telenor with 16.70 million subscribers. Mobilink is still leading the market with 31.75 million subscribers, while Warid stands on fourth position with 14.39 million subscribers.
China Mobile lost growth in terms of subscribers, but according to industry analysts, after the launch of Zong the next month figures are expected to be positive.
In Pakistan’s competitive and heated mobile market, operator’s survival lies in getting into new areas, exploring new Value Added products, and providing better quality of services.
China Mobile has already invested $500 million in the country and has plans to invest more. China Mobile has made the largest investment among all the Chinese investment in Pakistan. PTA has recently awarded the license for providing cellular service in Azad Jammu Kashmir and Northern Areas to China Mobile.
A steady growth witnessed addition of more than two million mobile subscribers every month throughout the last year, according to the PTA data. In the previous year the sector grew by 80 percent whereas average growth rate in last 4 years has been more than 100 percent. Network coverage of almost 90 percent of the total population of Pakistan has made mobile industry even more attractive for foreign investment.
