Declining Numbers Across the Board

Pakistan’s mobile telecommunications sector experienced a contraction in November 2024, with cellular subscribers dropping from 193.309 million in October to 193.238 million, according to the PTA. This decline extended to 3G/4G users and penetration rates as well.

3G/4G Usage Declines

The number of active 3G and 4G users dropped from 139.123 million in October to 139.037 million in November. Meanwhile, NGMS penetration reduced marginally from 57.02% to 56.9%.

Teledensity Slips Slightly

The teledensity, which represents telecom connections per 100 individuals, dipped from 80.3% in October to 80.1% by November’s end, indicating reduced connectivity.

Performance Breakdown by Telcos

• Jazz: Jazz saw a sharp decline in its 3G users, dropping from 2.08 million to 1.54 million. However, its 4G subscribers grew from 49.861 million to 50.19 million.
• Zong: Zong’s 3G subscriber base fell slightly from 1.89 million to 1.86 million, while its 4G users increased from 38.12 million to 38.30 million.
• Telenor: Telenor faced declines across both segments, with its 3G users dropping from 1.434 million to 1.388 million and its 4G users decreasing from 25.478 million to 25.428 million.
• Ufone: Ufone recorded a slight drop in 3G users, from 2.10 million to 2.047 million, while its 4G subscribers rose from 16.43 million to 16.47 million.

Potential Factors Driving the Decline

Several factors could be contributing to these trends, including economic challenges, the growing dominance of 4G over 3G networks, and a shift toward newer technologies.