The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has claimed that Internetservices are available to 87 percent of the population in Pakistan at thelowest rates in the region.
The demand for Internet services grew immensely in Pakistan during thelockdown in 2020 due to increased use of social media and communicationsapplications, video streaming, and online sessions. However, the quality ofthe services remains comprised and has been termed as ‘poor’ in many areasby users.
Reportedly, a supportive regulatory environment, effective competition, thepresence of innovative international telecom operators, and the continuedresolve of the regulator to harness advanced technologies has resulted inwidespread availability of Internet services to over 87 percent of thepopulation at one of the lowest rates in the region; and Mobilelink data prices have declined by only 0.70percent of the Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, which is well belowthe UN Broadband Commission’s recommendation of less than 2 percent.——————————
——————————Transformation of Lifestyles During the Pandemic
Where historic lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic slackened economicactivity, vibrant telecommunication systems played a pivotal role inensuring the availability of essential services to the community. In a way,the pandemic actualized the true potential of broadband services andtransformed lifestyles. All daily activities related to education andhealth, and virtually every other sector of the economy have been shiftedto digital dimensions, creating a huge nationwide demand fortelecommunication services.
Rising to the occasion, the PTA, while being supported by othertelecommunication operators, has ensured connectivity and networkresilience; offered low-priced, discounted broadband services; disseminatedfree advisories on the pandemic to its entire subscriber base; andfacilitated the Government of Pakistan (GoP) in the disbursement offinancial assistance to the needy.
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The report revealed that 98 percent of Pakistan’s households own a mobilephone each, while the penetration of mobile services reached 81.1 percentat the end of October 2020, with 172.3 million mobile subscriptions.Broadband Penetration Grows by 42.2 Percent
Broadband subscriptions also showed impressive growth trends of 17 percentduring FY2020, crossing the 90.1 million mark in October 2020 mark, whereas4G subscriptions registered an exponential 60 percent growth in the FY2020.As a result, the total broadband penetration in Pakistan reached 42.4percent by the end of October 2020.
With the expansion of 3G and 4G services, the FY2020 also had an increaseof 77 percent in data usage.
