TMCnet says a recent survey found Pakistani broadband users enjoy inexpensive broadband compared to other parts of the world. Pakistans ISPs are offering a 1 MB link for (USD) $15/mo.
In 2004, the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) introduced two types of licence for ISPs – regional and nationwide, and also exempted them from Central Excise Duty. Since liberalisation, over the past four years, the Pakistani telecom sector has attracted more than USD 5.6 billion in foreign investments. During 2007/08, the Pakistani telecoms sector alone received USD 1.44 million in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) – about 30 per cent of the country’s total foreign direct investment.
Wateen has one of Motorola’s largest mobile WiMAX deployments. Wateen Telecom is Abu Dhabi Group’s investment in Pakistan, and the leading “Carrier’s Carrier”.
Wateen’s commercial launch of mobile WiMAX services began with 22 major cities (pdf).
Wateen is likely to see growing WiMax competition from operators including Wi-Tribe, Mobilink and LinkDotNet in Pakistan.
Mobile phone subscribers in Pakistan total 91 million as of February 2009, according to Wikipedia. Pakistan has the highest mobile penetration rate in the region. According to the PTA, Mobilink continues to lead the market with 28.12 million subscribers, followed by Telenor (19.84 million), Ufone (19.49 million), Warid Telecom (17.25 million), Zong (5.97 million) and Instaphone (0.32).
Pakistan a country with a population of 166 million people, spread over 340,403 sq miles, currently has approximately 5 million copper lines deployed nationwide, servicing about 2 million dial up customers. Over the last two years however, wireless local loop (WLL) has gained recognition as a less expensive alternative.
