STAFF REPORT IBD: the sales of cellular connections in Pakistan has drastically declined following the new SIM rules are confining cellular companies to sell SIMs via service centres and company owned franchises only.
According to latest data issued by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, five cellular companies could add a total of 143,609 new subscribers in February 2013, down from the average addition of around 1000,000 subscribers per month during past six months.
The data shows that the total cellular base was recorded at 120,962,829 subscribers at the end of February 2013, up from 120,819,220 subscribers in January this year.
Mobilink remained the market leader with 36,011,288 subscribers, while Telenor stood second with 30,423,114 subscribers. Ufone had 23,345,258 subscribers at the end of February 2013 while Zong reported 18,659,009 subscribers. Warid registered a total base of 12,524,160 subscribers till February 2013.