Telecom Operators Spent Rs. 267B in 3 Years on Infrastructure

Pakistan’s telecom industry has made a massive investment of Rs. 267.61 billion over the last three years to enhance network infrastructure, expand internet coverage, and improve service quality, according to official data released by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).

The report highlights significant spending by all major Cellular Mobile Operators (CMOs) to strengthen connectivity and support the country’s growing digital ecosystem:

• Jazz (PMCL) – Rs. 95.45 billion

• Zong (CMPak) – Rs. 87.27 billion

• Ufone (PTML) – Rs. 62.27 billion

• Telenor Pakistan – Rs. 22.62 billion

These investments are part of operators’ efforts to expand 4G coverage, improve data services, and prepare for the future launch of 5G technology in Pakistan.

Despite significant infrastructure spending, service quality gaps remain across various regions. According to the PTA’s report:

• The authority conducted 438 quality-of-service surveys over the last three years, covering cities, highways, and railway tracks.

• In several instances, warning letters were issued to all operators for poor network performance in multiple areas.

• Show-cause notices were served to Telenor in specific cases where service quality fell below PTA standards.

The report indicates that while investments are helping improve internet penetration and network coverage, many areas still face call drops, slow internet speeds, and service interruptions.

Between the last three years, consumers filed a total of 65,846 complaints through the PTA Complaint Management System (CMS). The majority of complaints were related to:

• Data services issues – 39,736 complaints

• Service interruptions/load shedding – 8,890 complaints

• Coverage and network availability – 7,941 complaints

• Overall quality of service – 9,279 complaints

Despite these numbers, PTA reported that 99.51% of complaints were successfully addressed, with 65,528 cases resolved.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority emphasized its commitment to ensuring that the multi-billion-rupee investments made by telecom operators result in better connectivity for users nationwide.

Key steps taken include:

• Regular performance surveys across cities and rural areas.

• Issuance of warning letters and show-cause notices for poor compliance.

• Continuous monitoring of operators’ performance to ensure network quality.

• Strict enforcement mechanisms to meet service quality benchmarks.

With telecom operators collectively investing over Rs. 267 billion, Pakistan is rapidly moving toward achieving its Digital Pakistan Vision. However, experts believe that:

• Operators need to accelerate fiber-optic expansion to support 5G deployment.

• Rural and remote regions require greater focus to bridge the digital divide.

• Regulatory reforms and public-private collaboration are essential to improve internet speeds and service reliability.

The PTA has reassured consumers that its strict monitoring framework will ensure better network coverage, faster internet services, and a smoother digital experience for millions of users across the country.

Pakistan’s telecom sector is experiencing a significant transformation, driven by an investment surge of Rs. 267 billion over the last three years. While network expansion and digital connectivity are improving, the industry still faces challenges in service quality and user experience.

For More  Visit: Nationbytes.pk