Pakistan Scores Low in Mobile Broadband Infrastructure: Study

3G 4G PP

A study sponsored by Nokia revealed that Pakistan scored low in mobile broadband infrastructure despite high use by subscribers.

According to the study, the country scored 2.09 out of 10, ranking 25 out of the 26 developing telecom markets in mobile broadband connectivity.

For measuring the score, the study titled “Connectivity Scorecard 2013” took into account key criteria such as consumer infrastructure, consumer usage and skills, business infrastructure and business usage and skills, public sector infrastructure and public sector usage and skills, to measure the level of mobile broadband connectivity in Pakistan.

The study results were shared yesterday at Nokia’s “Connected Pakistan – 3G, 4G Perspectives” conference, held in Islamabad.

Danny Atme, General Manager, Networks, Nokia Pakistan, said: “The study shows mobile broadband users in Pakistan increasingly demand high-speed mobile broadband and significantly improved network coverage across the country. As the world‟s specialist in mobile broadband, we are committed to providing operators in Pakistan with our advanced 3G and 4G technologies, and comprehensive services to build and run the networks cost efficiently.”

The number of WCDMA subscriptions in Pakistan will overtake GSM subscriptions by 2019, and there will be 103.4 million WCDMA subscriptions in Pakistan by the end of 2019, representing about 58% of the mobile market, according to Ovum forecasts. It also forecasts that the adoption of 4G will be more modest than for 3G for the foreseeable future, with the number of LTE subscriptions in Pakistan reaching about 6.6 million by the end of 2019.

Matthew Reed, Practice Leader Middle East and Africa, Ovum, said: “Although Pakistan is a late-comer to mobile broadband, the rollout of 3G services that is now underway in the country following the recent award of new licenses, combined with the increasing affordability of 3G-enabled devices as well as demand for Internet access and other data services, means that there is likely to be a substantial shift in Pakistan‟s mobile market from 2G to 3G over the coming few years.”

Dr. Syed Ismail Shah, Chairman, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), said: “The Nokia conference on “Connected Pakistan – 3G, 4G Perspectives” has brought out excellent insights from various eco-system players on how to achieve further mobile broadband penetration here. The government is committed to enabling the operators to take the mobile broadband subscription base to a new high. Together with players such as Nokia and its advanced 3G and 4G mobile broadband technologies, we are confident that Pakistan will be able to provide high quality mobile broadband services on a par with leading services around the world.”

Tech and telecom reporter for over 15 years


  • when witribe and other wimax providers getting 4G LTE… Just Like other global internet service providers !!!

  • Aamir bhai, please batain mobilink kab 3g commercial launch kar raha hai. Aur waird ki 4g ka kya status hai? Bewakoof tu nahi banaya unhoon ne? Agar koi aur brother true answer de sakta hai tu advace mein thanks.

  • It’s just a start. We know 3G coverage is very limited to many cities. If our government is really serious to increase 3G revenue then they should increase the education budget and make the entire country educated. The more people educate, the more chances to rise the 3G revenue and the prosperity of the country.

  • Pakistan had to score low on mobile broadband connectivity – up until very recently there was NO mobile broadband in the country!


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