Mobile Phones Industry in Pakistan

Mobile Companies Operating in Pakistan

This page is a compilation of list and links for Telecommunication Services Providers (mobile, wimax, wireless local loop and voip - excluding fixed line) in Pakistan, with links to related posts on my blog and additional references listed at the end. Also see the Pakistan Telecom Wiki for related information.

1. Market Overview Of Mobile Companies in Pakistan
Lets start with a review of recent subscriber growth. At 2006 year end the total subscribers were 48.2 million. In June 2007 the total mobile users reached over 63 million. Based on numbers published at PTA website for 2007, the total number of subscribers (technically it is the number of SIMs issued) was 76.6 million, a teledensity of nearly 49%. In 2007 the average growth rate was about 2.5 million new subscribers each month! After second half of 2007 it seemed as if the growth had slowed down but overall it was fine. One remarkable achievement was by Zong (formerly Paketl) which launched very successful campaigns towards 2007 end completed rebrand launch in April of 2008. See chart below for a breakdown of market share by mobile companies (click it to see a higher resolution version).

Here’s a brief description of the top mobile companies in Pakistan. 

At the top is Mobilink, the Pakistani unit of Egypt-based telecom company Orascom. It has been operating in Pakistan since 1994. Subscriber share was around 42% at the end of June 2007.

Ufone, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pakistan Telecommunication Co. Ltd (PTCL),  is now under the control of Etisalat group of UAE. It has 22% of subscriber share and added the most lines (2.4 million) from 2006-07. For those in Pakistan it is the one company where they can easily invest locally.

Warid, owned by the Abu Dhabi group of the United Arab Emirates and sister of Wateen group is number 3 with 17% market of subscribers. Recently it sold 30% share to SingTel.

Norway’s Telenor, a recent entrant with about a billion US dollar investment in Pakistan has been doing well, based on its recent earning report. It has about 16% of the market share. Telenor stock is listed in the Oslo stock market (TEL) and in US(TELNY.PK).

CMPak, formerly Paktel, is the latest target of foreign acquisition. After it got acquired by China Mobile it is in the process of rebranding. CMPak has 2% of market share.

2. Fixed Wireless (WLL)
Please see this post for an overview of the WLL operators and technology. Wireless local loop services are based on CDMA and are considered an alternative to copper lines. Recently rebranded Vfone service by PTCL is the market leader and recently there have been many intersting marketing and pricing moves. You may also follow this link for a list of WLL providers from PTA site. 

3. WiMAX
This post provides a summary of WiMAX situation in Pakistan.Wateen has emerged as the largest player and has started advertising for its WiMAX services though as of Sep 2007 the pricing had not been announced. Mobilink is in the race as well and has made a few acquisitions to speed up its Go-to-market plan. Then there is Burraq Telecom.

4. Voice over IP
Companies providing VOIP and call forwarding services. In other words: International calls, local rates. See my posts about VOIP related issues for Pakistan.

• Vonics (more about Vonic’s Pakistan Plan)
• BRAIN TEL (Lahore only)
• CallPakistanDirect
• Rebetel - not specific to Pakistan
• FreeCallPlanet - not specific to Pakistan 

References and Resources

1. Information of providers from PTA site
2. Mobile phone tariffs available at this PTA page.
3. Wikipedia - Communication in Pakistan