According to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the number of 3G and 4G users in Pakistan declined to 138.496 million by December 2024, down from 139.037 million in November. This resulted in a slight decrease in Next Generation Mobile Service (NGMS) penetration from 56.9% to 56.58%. Additionally, teledensity, which measures the number of telecom connections per 100 individuals, also saw a slight drop from 80.1% to 80%.
Despite these declines in 3G and 4G subscriptions, the total number of cellular subscribers saw a marginal increase, reaching 193.308 million in December, up from 193.238 million in November. The report also highlighted varying performance across the country’s mobile operators:
- Jazz: 3G users declined to zero, while 4G users saw a small decrease.
- Zong: 3G subscribers fell slightly, but 4G users increased.
- Telenor: 3G users dropped, but 4G subscriptions remained steady.
- Ufone: A decline in 3G users was balanced by a slight increase in 4G subscriptions.
Consumer grievances also featured prominently, with the PTA receiving 13,287 complaints in December. Remarkably, 99% of these complaints were resolved, highlighting the industry’s commitment to customer service despite the challenges in maintaining 3G/4G growth and penetration.
