The cellular mobile Industry of Pakistan has achieved 100 million subscription mark in year 2010. In order to commemorate this landmark achievement, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) organized 100 million cellular subscription celebration event at Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA). During this landmark ceremony Prime Minister of Pakistan Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani,was the Chief guest. Federal Minister for Information Technology & Telecom, Sardar Aseff Ahmed Ali, Chairman PTA Dr. Mohammed Yaseen, Federal Ministers, Federal Secretaries, Representatives from Awan-e-Sadar, Prime Minister Secretariat, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regulatory Authorities, IT & telecom industry experts, CEOs of telecom companies, and media representatives attended the event.
This historical event will long be remembered not only by the regulator but also by the Government of Pakistan without who’s fair and friendly policies it could not have been possible to achieve 100 million subscription mark. During the ceremony Pakistan Post representative presented a commemorative stamp to the Prime Minister of Pakistan which has been issued on this occasion.
Pakistan telecom industry was growing at an astounding pace after the deregulation of the sector. The mobile sector growth has been extraordinary and this sector has become a model for other countries across the world. A number of factors have played role in it including investor friendly government policies and healthy competition introduced by the Government which has encouraged operators to an extra mile for making a strong subscriber base. The predictions, estimates and forecasts made for Pakistan mobile industry proved to be counterfactual and the subscriber base proceeded with growth higher than the forecasted one.
Mobile services in Pakistan started in 1995 and three operators Instaphone, Paktel and Mobilink were providing services to only 68,038 subscribers on exorbitant rates. In order to give choice to the people of Pakistan, Ufone a subsidiary of PTCL was given license to operate mobile services in year 2000. With the consent of the Government the Regulator implemented the Calling Party Pays Regime in 2001which gave boost to the subscriber base and it crossed 1 million in 2002. (1.7 million Subscribers in 2002). In 2003 deregulation was introduced in the mobile sector of Pakistan through Mobile Cellular Policy. Telenor & Warid were awarded two new mobile licenses in 2004 against the price of 291 million dollar each and they started their operations in 2005. There was competition with 6 operators which gave boost to mobile subscribers base and it crossed 12 million in 2005. Telecom Industry showed signs of maturity with competition in 2007 and operators were providing services to 68 million subscribers. In year 2009 subscribers crossed figure of 95 million. In June 2010 mobile subscribers reached 99.4 million. Now this is the milestone that PTA is celebrated an amazing growth rate over the years.
PTA will continue to ensure provision of best telecom services to the citizens of Pakistan. Its main objective is to make the telecom sector an even stronger and vital asset to national economy. PTA hopes to continue its efforts in this direction.
