Ufone’s 3G Network Stretched to Nine Cities, Mobilink Eight and Telenor in Four Cities

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Its been slightly over a month now that trial services for 3G were started by cellular operators in Pakistan.

Starting with Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Karachi, cellular operators – other than Zong — are expanding their reach to serve their customers with next-generation 3G technology at earliest.

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority had made this obligatory for all 3G operators to make 3G services available in minimum of five cities (including four Provincial and Federal Capital) during first nine month of the 3G launch.

With current rollout status, it appears that operators have almost fulfilled their respective rollout obligations way ahead of the deadline, i.e. with-in first month of license auction.

Ufone is clearly winning the race during the first few weeks by taking its 3G network live in nine cities across three provinces of the country. Ufone’s 3G network is available in following nine cities as of today:

  • Islamabad
  • Lahore
  • Rawalpindi
  • Karachi
  • Peshawar
  • Faisalabad
  • Multan
  • Gujranwala
  • Sialkot

Ufone has proved that their readiness for 3G network was optimum, probably this is the reason that Ufone was able to commercially launch 3G ahead of all other operators. Its quality of network for 3G in covered areas is also said to be super, hinting that they have some plans for the months to come.

Ufone, it appears, is also trying to get its 3G network to cities where no one else has penetrated yet. Take example of Sialkot and Gujranwala where no other operator is offering 3G except Ufone. This approach is definitely going to earn the company notable number of extra customers during early days.

Mobilink, on the other hands, has its 3G network in eight cities. Below is the list:

  • Islamabad
  • Rawalpindi
  • Peshawar
  • Lahore
  • Karachi
  • Multan
  • Faisalabad
  • Quetta

Mobilink also has this unique feature of 3G network availability in Quetta where no other operator has reached yet.

Telenor, which is set to commercially launch its 3G services on June 1st, has managed to grab four cities with its 3G network. Telenor’s 3G network is available in following cities:

  • Islamabad
  • Lahore
  • Rawalpindi
  • Peshawar

While we know the fact that these cities are not entirely covered by cellular operators, it is said (and observed independently) that telcos are swiftly expanding the 3G network with-in the covered cities.

This on-going process of network expansion with 3G network will continue for several years, but early impressions suggest that operators are pretty aggressive with their rollout plans.

Zong – quite surprisingly – just commenced its trial 3G services at selected locations in Lahore. It’s commercial launch – we are told by sources – isn’t happening anytime before mid-July, which is quite odd for a company like Zong as they looked best or say over-prepared for 3G launch during the auction.

Overall, I would say, operators are doing a wonderful job with 3G network rollout. Not only the 3G coverage, but the service quality is also commendable. These speedtest results screens (from hundreds of ProPakistani readers) speak volumes.

Having said this, it is just a start and a lot has to be done yet. Telecom companies will have to continue expanding the 3G network along with fair quality of service during the years to come.

Tech and telecom reporter for over 15 years


  • I don’t understand why no telecom company is covering the region of Bahria town, eden villas and Eme society in lahore. Although some really big company owners and their relatives are living in these posh areas. Also i can bet every individual can afford even the expensive terrif plans in these areas.

    • Companies like ptcl and mobilink have to pay bribes to the owners of bharia town before the owners let them in. As usual its the customer that waits and suffers the most.

    • they are not covering in rawalpindi too, these posh areas located outside the city, as far i know in rwp and went to lahore, the bahria town was like adjacent to lahore same in rwp.
      that is why they are getting delayed, and about the users…i think in these posh areas maximum people just use their home for sleeping purpose and rest of the time they spend in city..my guess maybe wrong

  • Bravo brabo…Telenor 3G isnt fast either…telenor will definately loose out the here

  • in my opinion telenor has best speed than others.
    The biggest problem regarding coverage in Karachi is none of the operators has covered S.I.T.E AREA which is one of biggest industrial area of Pakistan

  • They are launching 3G service one to two cities (or more) per month. It means, every year 3G will be launched 20 to 30 cities.What do you think coverage rate is enough to spread 3G service 100-200 cities within 1 to 2 years. Even EVO is available only in 128 cities.

  • Thanks for thee article but lets see how much coverage ufone has given.. if you go on ufone’s website and see the coverage map for 3G .. when you say they are covering more cities which looks stunning but when you see the coverage area in those cities which is pathetic.. they should first cover one whole city and then move to other rather giving less coverage area in all the cities which is useless.. on the other hand telenor has more coverage than ufone but less cities which is good..

    • Right! They want to show that we have a 3G service in more cities, but actually only limited area.It is better to spread the 3G service whole cities or only a major parts. For instance, Bahari Town which is one of the richest area in Lahore, there is no operator which is offering 3G service. Perhaps, they have a plan.

    • Right! They want to show that we have a 3G service in more cities, but actually only limited area.It is better to spread the 3G service whole cities or only a major parts. For instance, Bahari Town which is one of the richest area in Lahore, there is no operator which is offering 3G service. Perhaps, they have a plan.

    • all companies currently not covering the whole cities, maybe the covered the minimum area compared to others. but its marketing strategy…1 can cover the maximum area in one city and one can cover minimum area but in more cities.

    • all companies currently not covering the whole cities, maybe the covered the minimum area compared to others. but its marketing strategy…1 can cover the maximum area in one city and one can cover minimum area but in more cities.

  • Just give me one example where any operator has expanded its 3G coverage area in Karachi ????

  • Just give me one example where any operator has expanded its 3G coverage area in Karachi ????

    • Dear they are only giving this facility only in VIP areas like Clifton and Defence.

    • Dear they are only giving this facility only in VIP areas like Clifton and Defence.

    • Dear they are only giving this facility only in VIP areas like Clifton and Defence.

    • Dear they are only giving this facility only in VIP areas like Clifton and Defence.

      • in areas where people use internet services on mobile, they are not political parties rather they are businesses

    • yes thats what I am saying.. Compared to Telenor has more coverage area in RWP/ISB than any network

        • Dear I’m working on one of the project speed wise Zong.com and Mobilink shall be better and regarding coverage it will take time the early it come the more problems the user’s will face bcz it’s need proper planning

    • i guess dont know exact but around 9 million $ for one site.

      • I don’t think so! Mobilink has 9000 cell sites(According to the previous Propakistani article), then total cost will go around 9000*9=81000 million dollars, which is equal to 81 billion dollars..!! LOL! Bill Gates, who is the richest man in the world, only has 74 billion dollars in his pocket ;D It is a interesting question, we should research about it!

        • maybe one site mean a specific area of km2, i told you i don’t know exact.
          and worth of bill gates is his own worth, btw companies worth morethan that.microsoft worth i guess more than 500 or nearly 1000 billion dollars and we are talking about companies.

          • In Pakistan worth of whole Warid Tel was not more than 3 billion USD so Mobilink current worth is not more than 6 Billion USD. How they can invest 81 billion USD ??

  • none of them have increased coverage in lahore whne compared to the test service

  • Dear all

    Would u like to tell me, Ufone had not complete coverage in single city of pakistan and they start 3G commercial, so do u think it is professionally good step??
    And furthermore Ufone connot try to complete one city coverage instead of this expend it 3g in other citys…

    Note: 3g and 2G charges or charged separately so for 3g you need 2g package as well as …

    • all companies do not cover the whole city, for your kind information
      they are upgrading sites in cities which they are providing

  • I dont know on which grounds ufone is selecting cities for 3g coverage? 6 cities of punjab as compare to 1 each in sindh and kpk and none in balochistan

  • I dont know on which grounds ufone is selecting cities for 3g coverage? 6 cities of punjab as compare to 1 each in sindh and kpk and none in balochistan

  • But they are not extending the coverage area in the Big cities. Even in Karachi we are not getting 3g coverage.

    • not in whole karachi i guess.but they upgrading sites in cities which they are providing and you will get soon 3G

    • not in whole karachi i guess.but they upgrading sites in cities which they are providing and you will get soon 3G

  • aamir bhai kee kachi ho gayee, news lagi thee as usual pro ufone, per ppl r smarter now :)

  • زونگ جان بوجھ کر سروس شروع نہیں کر رہا. کیونکہ زونگ کے پاس چارجی کا لائیسنس ہے. اگر زونگ نے چارجی سروس شروع کر دی تو دوسری کمپنیوں کی تین جی کون استعمال کرے گا. یہ میرا ذاتی خیال ہے، ہوسکتا ہے غلط ہو

  • زونگ جان بوجھ کر سروس شروع نہیں کر رہا. کیونکہ زونگ کے پاس چارجی کا لائیسنس ہے. اگر زونگ نے چارجی سروس شروع کر دی تو دوسری کمپنیوں کی تین جی کون استعمال کرے گا. یہ میرا ذاتی خیال ہے، ہوسکتا ہے غلط ہو

    • No, the reason must be something else as 80% of the smartphones in Pakistan doesnot support 4G

    • No, the reason must be something else as 80% of the smartphones in Pakistan doesnot support 4G

  • 3G quality in Peshawar really sucks getting connectivity issues in 3G area. Even when it is connected it fluctuates a lot.

  • Please ask PTA to stop ZONG from advertising itself as Pakistan’s 1st and only 4G network when it is not even offering 3G!

    • Bhai thora wait kar lo, 3g or 4g ki launch se pehle bhi karobar e zindagi chal raha tha ;)

      • Sometimes back Telenor was told to remove its ad from Islamabad’s Blue Area crossing due to its misleading claim of offering 4G when even licenses were not given. Zong must stop misleading on similar lines! It appears that Warid will launch 4G before Pakistan’s 1st and only fraud 4G network!

      • Sometimes back Telenor was told to remove its ad from Islamabad’s Blue Area crossing due to its misleading claim of offering 4G when even licenses were not given. Zong must stop misleading on similar lines! It appears that Warid will launch 4G before Pakistan’s 1st and only fraud 4G network!

        • well telenor ad says we are 2G company not 4G at blue area underpass.I saw that advertisement 100 times while going to bahria university.
          at the time no one has license to offer the service, now they have license and they can advertise 3G or 4G whatever.

  • Kya ufone doosry shehron mai fori service start kary ga jaisy k Bahawalpur ya ab dair lagy gi saal ya phir is sy zyada?

  • Kya ufone doosry shehron mai fori service start kary ga jaisy k Bahawalpur ya ab dair lagy gi saal ya phir is sy zyada?

  • So far Ufone has the worst speed amongst all operators, why is it mentioned as the best?

  • We need 3G coverage in Azad Kashmir ASAP. Us British folk can’t live without the Internet when we visit.

  • Ufone has launched 3G in Quetta too.
    For coverage in Bahria, we are struggling enough with concerns.

  • dear sir main telenor postpaid sim use kar raha hn peshawar se belong karta hn telenor 3g peshawar main abe tak launch he nahe howa ap log joot kyo bol rahe ke telenor ne pesawar main launch kiya hai ye sb joot hai peshawar main abe tak telenor 3g nahe aya

  • dear sir main telenor postpaid sim use kar raha hn peshawar se belong karta hn telenor 3g peshawar main abe tak launch he nahe howa ap log joot kyo bol rahe ke telenor ne pesawar main launch kiya hai ye sb joot hai peshawar main abe tak telenor 3g nahe aya

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