STAFF REPORT KHI: Pakistans telecommunication sector sold 5 million high-speed mobile internet connections within five months of acquiring third generation (3G) mobile spectrum licences with China Mobile Pakistan (Zong) dominating the market.

According to the PTA report on 3G, the growth has helped the country more than double its broadband subscriptions to 8 million, up from 3.7 million at the end of June, 2014.

China Mobile Pakistan (Zong) added 1.68 million 3G subscribers to the total, highest by any operator for the period under review followed by Mobilink and Telenor Pakistan that sold 1.44 million and 1.18 million 3G connections, respectively, while Ufone added 6,46,949 subscribers to its 3G network.

“This is a very satisfactory start to the 3G rollout, especially under challenging circumstances,” PTAs Director General Commercial Affairs Dr. Muhammad Saleem told the media.

The telecom sectors revenue increased by 6 per cent to Rs465 billion and its contribution to the exchequer almost doubled in fiscal year 2013-2014, according to the data. The sector contributed Rs234.5 billion in annual taxes, up 88 per cent from Rs124.7 billion of FY2012-2013.”The initial number for 3G subscriptions indicate we got to a faster start compared to similar markets,” Information and Communications Technology expert Parvez Iftikhar said. “We were already very late in launching 3G technology.”

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