Cellular, WLL users record growth in July 2009

[LahoreEstate]

KARACHI: The cellular sector has witnessed a significant increase in subscribers base by 1.2 million in July 2009 on the result of falling connections and calling packages rates.

According to the latest statistics released by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the overall mobile phone users has reached 95.54 million in the country on the network of five operators with 1.28 percent growth as compared to last year.

The race of reduced day and night call packages offered by different operators has attracted big number of new and old users particularly in small cities and rural areas of the country.

The teledensity of the cellular phone also jumped to 58.50 percent by the end of July 2009.

Telecom analysts said the cut in activation charges to Rs 250 per connection has also eased the cost of the operators. The offer of free minutes and SMS with new connections has resulted in boosting subscribers in the past month.

Mobilink users’ base stood at 29.55 million followed by by Telenor, which has 21.299 million subscribers. Ufone, Warid and Zong cellular’s connection jumped to 20.057 million, 18.14 million and 6.486 million in July 2009.

Wireless Local Loop (WLL) also maintained its subscribers’ base growth in July 2009. The WLL operators have made 35,041 net increase in their users during last month.

Telecom analysts said the WLL sector has continued to attract commercial users and small business like Public Call Office (PCO) that has maintained its growth and popularity.

Operators free calling minutes and text services along with value added services that also caused popularity of their services. Also, the wireless sectors are frequently used for international call on its affordable call packages.

Pakistan Telecommuni-cation Company Limited (PTCL) wireless users’ base stood at the highest level with 1.3 million. Telecard and WorldCall enhanced their subscribers to 0.626 million and 0.562 million by the end of July 2009, PTA data said.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...2009_pg5_3