Pakistan’s Cellular Subscribers Edge Up to 196.58 Million in November

Pakistan’s total cellular subscribers witnessed marginal growth in November 2025, rising to 196.584 million from 196.153 million recorded at the end of October, according to official data released by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).

Despite the increase in subscribers, mobile teledensity—measuring the number of mobile connections per 100 people—largely remained unchanged at around 79 percent during the month. However, overall teledensity showed a slight improvement, edging up from 79.89 percent in October to 79.94 percent by the end of November, indicating a near-saturation level in the mobile market.

Pakistan’s Cellular Subscribers Edge Up to 196.58 Million in November

The number of next-generation mobile service users, including 3G and 4G subscribers, also posted a modest rise. The combined 3G and 4G user base increased from 148.066 million at the end of October to 148.197 million by the close of November, reflecting a net addition of approximately 131,000 users in a month.

Despite the incremental growth in users, the penetration rate of Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS) declined slightly, falling from 59.5 percent in October to 59.46 percent in November, continuing a gradual downward trend amid the slowing uptake of advanced mobile services.

A closer look at operator-wise performance revealed mixed trends. Jazz, the country’s largest telecom operator, maintained a zero 3G user base, while its 4G subscribers declined for the third consecutive month—from 55.042 million in October to 55.0 million in November.

See Also: Breaking: Federal Cabinet Approves 5G Spectrum Auction, Low Prices to Accelerate Rollout

Zong emerged as a relative gainer during the month, recording growth in its 4G segment. The operator’s 4G subscriptions increased from 41.353 million to 41.560 million. However, its 3G user base declined from 1.719 million to 1.676 million over the same period.

Telenor Pakistan also experienced erosion across both segments. Its 3G subscribers fell from 0.977 million to 0.932 million, while its 4G customer base slipped slightly from 26.96 million to 26.92 million by the end of November.

Ufone, meanwhile, reported contrasting trends. The operator saw a notable decline in 3G users—from 1.251 million in October to 1.114 million in November—but registered growth in its 4G segment, with subscribers increasing from 18.910 million to 19.082 million during the month.

Industry observers note that while overall subscriber numbers continue to grow, the pace remains subdued, reflecting market maturity, limited affordability, and slower adoption of next-generation services. The data underscores the need for telecom operators to focus on service quality, network expansion, and digital inclusion to stimulate future growth in a largely saturated market.