Pakistan - Telecoms Infrastructure, Operators, Regulations - Statistics and Analyses

Pakistan's telecom market had been struggling for a long time with the transition from a regulated state-owned monopoly to a deregulated competitive structure. Foreign investment has been an important factor in Pakistan's telecom sector.

Despite the government's promotion of internet and expansion of universal internet access to cities, towns and villages throughout the nation over the past decade, internet penetration has remained relatively low in global terms.

The fixed line market in Pakistan remains underdeveloped due to the dominance of the mobile segment. Further, the number of fixed telephone lines is slowly declining as the mobile segment continues to expand. The market is predicted to decline further over the next five years to 2024 as the mobile segment continues to grow for both voice and data/broadband usage.

Like many countries in Asia, both businesses and government agencies in Pakistan are opening up to the benefits of third party data centres for both public, private and hybrid cloud deployments. Data centres are established in Pakistan's three largest cities of Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad. Telcos with data centres include: Telenor, Zong, Ufone. Major data centre clients include web hosting service providers, banks and other financial institutions. The major global social media platforms such as Facebook have some presence in Pakistan's data centres.

The struggling fixed-line market in Pakistan is dominated by Pakistan Telecommunications Company Ltd (PTCL). The only other provider with a significant customer base is NTC.

Examples of IoT applications in Pakistan are solar-powered home services enabling rural households outside of the grid to power TV sets, mobile phone chargers and other electronic devices. Mobile operator Zong launched the Zong 4G Smart Car' solution in Islamabad.

Key developments:

• Both businesses and government agencies in Pakistan are opening up to the benefits of third party data centres
• The fixed line market remains underdeveloped due to the dominance of the mobile segment.
• The fixed line market is predicted to decline further over the next five years to 2024.

Companies mentioned in this report include:

Pakistan Telecommunication Co Ltd (PTCL); Ufone (PTML, PTCL's subsidiary); Telenor Pakistan; Warid Telecom; Zong; WorldCall; TeleCard;