Decline in 3G and 4G Users in Pakistan: November 2024 Insights
Overall Decline in Cellular Subscribers
In November 2024, Pakistan saw a noticeable decline in its cellular subscriber base. According to data released by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the total number of cellular users dropped from 193.309 million in October to 193.238 million in November.
3G/4G User Base Shrinks
The number of 3G and 4G users also declined during this period, falling from 139.123 million in October to 139.037 million by November’s end. Similarly, the Monthly Next Generation Mobile Service (NGMS) penetration rate decreased from 57.02% to 56.9%. This decline reflects a shift in consumer behavior and market trends.
Impact on Teledensity
The total teledensity in Pakistan, which measures the number of telecom connections per 100 individuals, also saw a slight decrease from 80.3% to 80.1% in November 2024, indicating a marginal reduction in overall connectivity.
Telco-Specific Analysis
- Jazz: While Jazz’s 3G subscribers dropped significantly from 2.08 million to 1.54 million, its 4G user base experienced growth, rising from 49.861 million to 50.19 million.
- Zong: Zong’s 3G users fell from 1.89 million to 1.86 million. However, its 4G users saw a minor increase, growing from 38.12 million to 38.30 million.
- Telenor: Telenor’s 3G subscribers decreased from 1.434 million to 1.388 million, while its 4G users also declined slightly, from 25.478 million to 25.428 million.
- Ufone: Ufone’s 3G user base dropped from 2.10 million to 2.047 million, but its 4G subscriber count increased slightly from 16.43 million to 16.47 million.
Market Dynamics and Trends
The overall decline in 3G/4G users highlights evolving market dynamics, possibly driven by economic factors, changing consumer preferences, and increasing competition in the telecom sector.
