Sales of cellular connections in Pakistan have hit the rock bottom, since the new SIM rules are confining cellular companies to sell SIMs via service centres and company owned franchises only.
According to latest stats issued by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, five cellular companies added a total of 143,609 new subscribers in February 2013, down from average addition of around 1.000,000 subscribers per month during past six months.
Total cellular base was recorded at 120,962,829 subscribers at the end of February 2013, up from 120,819,220 subscribers in January 2013.
Mobilink remained the market leader with 36,011,288 subscribers, while Telenor stood second with 30,423,114 subscribers. Ufone had 23,345,258 subscribers at the end of February 2013 while Zong reported 18,659,009 subscribers. Warid registered a total base of 12,524,160 subscribers till Feb.
Cellular tele-density was recorded at 68 percent.
More details in below graphs: