STAFF REPORT IBD: The number of wireless telephone consumers crossed the benchmark of three million despite slow growth and immense competition among the operators in Pakistan by March 2012, say updated statistics of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).

According to analysts, the wireless services providers have been facing immense competition with each other besides the cellular phone services have stifled their growth in targeted market.

It is to be mentioned here that the Wireless Local Loop (WLL) operators have established their networks throughout the country including Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Kashmir but its subscription concentrated mainly in few commercial cities and northern areas. Besides, the wireless services are being utilised in offices and industries due to package of daily services charges against unlimited usage.

The majority of WLL operators have waived off line rate and on-net call charges to attract customers. On the other hand, free minutes and low connection rates are still lucrative for small enterprises and industrial workers. Except few operators such asPTCL, Telecard and WorldCall, majority of the operators are struggling to retain their subscribers numbers and revenues through utility.

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