Mobile phone imports in Pakistan have increased by 8.79 percent during the first five months (July-November) of the current financial year (2015-16) as compared to the same period last year.
According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), total imports of mobile phones stood at $307.744 million, up from $282.875 million during the same period last year.
Experts say that this single digit growth in phone imports is organic and has very little to do with the uptake of newer 3G/4G technologies, indicating that after early adaption of 3G/4G technologies – for those who had smartphones already – mobile phone companies might struggle in converting their customers to 3G/4G networks from now onwards.
Experts said that after adding a good 20 million 3G/4G users during the past 18 months, 2016 is going to challenge mobile phone operators in attracting new 3G/4G users, given that there is a sluggish trend in uptake of smartphones in the country.
While there’s no authentic data available, experts say that overall smartphone penetration in Pakistan is around 15-18%.
Total imports of mobile phones stood at $307.744 million, up from $282.875 million during the same period last year.
On the other side, telecom imports saw a significant decline of 10.10 percent during July- November 2015-16 compared to the same period last year. Total telecom imports were recorded at $571.031 million compared to $635.167 million for the same time period last year.
Other telecom apparatus imports also witnessed significant decline of 25 percent during this period as it stood at $263.287 million during July-November (2015-16) against $352.292 million during the same period in 2014-15.
Overall smartphone penetration in Pakistan is around 15-18%.
Last week, the Federal Government announced Telecom Policy 2016; however no relief with respect to taxation and duties on import of mobile phones and other telecom apparatus was announced.
Telecom experts are of the view that heavy taxation is the major reason behind the decline in telecom sector. They are of the view that the figures show that the business environment is no more conducive for the telecom sector and may further affect FDI and investment in the country.
will illogical custom regulations and that cash/bribe hungry PTA , this comes as no surprise
FYI, using Plunge in the headline means that imports have decreased not increased. I think the word you’re looking for is Jumped.
plunged is used deliberately, as sales have taken a dip if you look at overall consumer numbers. This growth of 8% is even below for an organic uptake.
Ah my mistake then. Its just the headline and the first line of the article kind of contradict themselves.