Pakistan’s 4G Data Tariff Comparison

Fast internet has become the core of almost all fields of human life; be it health, education, agriculture, science, technology, government sector or even banking, we cannot deny the use of internet. In Pakistan, the 3G/4G subscribers according to PTA, has reached to 37.57 million till December 2016 just in 2.5 years of span. Pakistan’s 4G Data Tariff Comparison. Pakistan has successfully increased its 3G/4G subscribers from 13 million to 37 million in the last 18 months. The stats reflect the success story of Pakistan’s  telecom industry.

Pakistan’s 4G Data Tariff Comparison

Mobile operators in Pakistan are trying to make internet available to masses at an affordable price. Attractive data packages, convenience and affordability offered by network operators in collaboration with device manufacturers are main factors that are encouraging consumers to go for 4G devices.  As a result the penetration rate of 4G devices is increasing day by day.

PhoneWorld magazine has always facilitated its readers by providing details regarding operators’ packages and services. This time we have compared 4G data tariffs of all operators and have done general analysis so that our readers can select the best data package according to their demands and needs.  Mobile operators are making 4G services more accessible and affordable for everyone. Attractive data packages, convenience and affordability offered by network operators in collaboration with device manufacturers are main factors encouraging consumers to go for 4G devices.

According to Economic Survey (2015-2016), the telecom sector managed to make revenues of Rs. 333.2 billion during July 2015-March 2016, with tax revenues up to 105.92 billion

Revenues have greatly increased with the advancement of 4G in market. According to PTA analysis, the 3G/4G subscribers in Pakistan reached 37.57 million till December 2016. The country witnessed a rise of 8 million 3G/4G subscribers during 2016. PhoneWorld magazine has always facilitated its readers by providing all details regarding operators’ packages and services. In our previous issue we did a detailed analysis of 3G packages while this time we have done a comparative analysis on 4G packages.

PRE PAID PACKAGES

Daily Data Packages

Despite heavy taxation, telecom operators are providing various packages to facilitate their customers. Daily data packages are basically for customers who don’t use mobile too often or don’t have enough credit to subscribe to bigger and expensive packages. In the coming few months it is expected that Jazz will formally launch its 4G services, right now it is offering its 4G services on its 3G packages.

In this analysis we have jotted down the highest and the lowest current packages of all operators providing 4G services.

In the coming few months it is expected that Jazz will formally launch its 4G services, right now it is offering its 4G services on its 3G packages.

All operators are giving high number of MBs with respect to prices, making the competition tougher. According to latest pricing, Zong’s daily package offers 100 MB at Rs. 15 in most economic package category while daily max package is priced at Rs. 35 with data limit of 500MB.  Jazz is offering two daily packages namely daily social bundle and daily lite bundle. In daily social bundle, Jazz offers 30MB for 5 Rs, while 50 MB is provided for Rs 12 for Daily-lite bundle. Telenor offers 50 MB at Rs 12 for its cheapest package whereas; highest daily package is accompanied by 75 MB for Rs 12. Warid is offering volume of  50 MB priced at Rs. 12 whereas, in its premium Package it offers 100 MB for just Rs. 20.

Average MBs served per Rupee

As evident from the chart below, currently Zong offers the highest number of MBs per rupee for both daily lowest and daily premium packages.  Jazz offers lowest number of MBs per rupees for its highest daily internet package bundle. Telenor and Warid are providing lowest number of MBs per rupee out of all operators in the lowest internet daily package category.

Weekly Data Packages

Zong now offers two weekly data packages.  For the lowest data package, Zong offers cap of 700 MB for 70 rupee. Its premium package offers 2000 MBs for 100 rupees. As far as Telenor is concerned, its lowest package offers 2000 MBs for rupees 70 whereas, highest package compromises 1200 MBs priced at Rs. 100.

Jazz provides its users with 300 MBs for Rs. 50 under its lowest package offer; for highest package, it offers volume of 1000 MBs for 110 rupees. Warid offers same number of MBs as Jazz when it comes to lowest package whereas, it provides volume of 1000 MB priced at Rs. 110 under its premium weekly package.

In the lowest package category, Jazz and Warid are providing lowest number of MBs per rupees i.e. 6 MBs per rupee. Zong offers the highest number of MBs per rupee for both daily lowest and daily premium packages.

Telenor gives highest number of MBs i.e. 29 MBs per rupee under its most economical prepaid weekly package. While Zong offers highest number of MBs under premium weekly package. Jazz and Warid again stood at last, as they offer minimum volume of 9 MB per rupee.

Monthly Data Packages

There are variety of data packages offered by mobile operators to choose from, when it comes to monthly packages. Zong offers 7 exciting monthly packages for its prepaid customers. Its most economic package offers 500 MB for Rs. 150 while premium package comprises of 20,000 MBs for Rs. 3500. Jazz offers 1500 MBs for Rs. 160 in its cheapest package whereas, its premium package includes volume of 13000 MBs priced at Rs. 1200. The lowest package of Telenor offers 2250 MBs for Rs 300 whereas, 10500 MBs are offered for Rs. 1195 under its premium bundle offer. Out of four monthly packages, Warid’s lowest priced package offers 500 MB for Rs 75 but its highest package offers 8000 MBs of data priced at Rs.800.

A very huge difference is seen in breakdown of monthly data packages. Jazz wins by great margin by providing maximum volume per rupee for its highest and lowest priced packages. It offers 9.3 MB and 10.8 MBs per rupee for its lowest and highest packages respectively.  Zong only offers 3.3 MBs under its lowest package and 5.7 MBs per rupee for its highest packages. On the other hand, Telenor offers 7.5 MBs under its lowest priced package and 8.7 MBs under its premium package. Warid gives 6.7MB per rupee in its lowest package however, in premium package volume of 10 MB is offered per rupee.

Post Paid Packages

All mobile operators are only offering monthly packages for their postpaid customers. So here is the comparative analysis of postpaid monthly packages by all four operators.

Jazz wins with great margin by providing maximum volume per rupee for its highest and lowest priced packages

Monthly Data Packages

Zong offers highest number of monthly prepaid packages to choose from. Its highest package remains the same as that for its prepaid customers however; lowest priced package is available for Rs. 50 with 150 MB data limit. Jazz offers data limit of 1000 MBs priced at Rs. 140 under its cheapest package but its premium package provides volume of 25000 MB for Rs.2000.  Telenor has slightly changed the packages for its postpaid users.  Its most expensive package is of 8000 MBs at Rs. 3500 whereas; economic package provides 150MBs for 114 rupees. Warid has made slight changes in lowest monthly package for its customers by providing volume of 2000 MB priced at Rs. 250 whereas, its premium package is same as that for its prepaid customers.

For the most economic package, Jazz offers 7 MBs per rupee whereas; 12.5 MBs are offered per rupee under the premium package offer. Telenor offers lowest number of MBs under its cheapest package i.e. it give only 1.3 MBs for 1 rupee whereas, it has tried to balance the situation by providing 7 MBs per rupee for customers availing premium package.

Warid offers best per rupee offer under lowest priced package with 8 MBs per rupee. Zong is again on the losing side with least number of MBs offered at highest and lowest packages. Warid offers best per rupee offer under lowest priced package with 8 MBs per rupee.

All operators are currently providing competitive data tariffs but this year will be especially crucial for 4G services in Pakistan now that Mobilink and Telenor have also entered the 4G market. The broadband growth in Pakistan is quite encouraging as now 4G market in Pakistan has finally started to take some shape. So we should expect better packages and offers from all operators in the future.

Also Read: 3G/4G Data Benchmarking