National News

ISLAMABAD, Sep 29 (APP): The total broadband subscribers
including for 3G and 4G services have crossed around 46.9 million
mark in the country till August this year, registering a reasonable
growth rate with each passing month.
As per latest figures issued by Pakistan Telecommunication
Authority (PTA), the number of broadband users was around 45.6
million till July 2017 and major contribution has been made in shape
of 3G and 4G subscribers by Mobile Phone Operators which reached
44.5 million by August.
The number of broadband subscribers in other technologies
included DSL 1,549,688, HFC 51,065, Wimax 160,519, FTTH 51,097, EvDO
565,709 and other 9,264 subscribers.
Experts of telecom industry are having a viewpoint that
portable mobile broadband devices like MiFi and Wingles are one of
the main reasons of this growth in 3G/4G subscribers and many more
will follow this trend in upcoming days.
Meanwhile, country’s largest mobile phone operator,
Mobilink has overtaken its competitors as 3G/4G player after
official figures were released by PTA. Jazz subscribers base was
13.2 million 3G and 1.24 million 4G till the period mentioned.
A senior official of the Company said key to this leading
position is consistent investment to further innovate on behalf of
subscribers by delivering not just the best 3G/4G and voice network,
but also improvements in customer service, and product lines.
As per statistics, the 3G subscribers of Zong have now
extended to 8.77 million and 4.6 4G users by end of August 2017.
The number of Telenor 3G subscribers was 10.57 million and
849,139 4G users till the period mentioned above.
An increase has also been observed in Ufone subscribers base,
reaching 5.3 million 3G users by August 2017 from 5.15 million
till July this year.
Meanwhile, the mobile broadband is helping in widespread
adoption of social media which has an impact on everyday lives of
billions of people around the world.
Social media has also been gaining vast popularity among
masses in Pakistan. The introduction of mobile broadband coupled
with influx of affordable Smartphones had a catalytic effect on use
of social media.
People turn towards social media to voice their opinions,
experiences, suggestions and feedback on any topic or
constituent of the society.