Pakistan’s Mobile ARPU Climbs to Rs 326 Amid Broadband Boom and Smartphone Growth

Pakistan’s mobile Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) rose to Rs 326 per month in December 2025, up from Rs 306 in 2024-25, as expanding broadband usage, higher smartphone adoption, and changing consumer behavior reshaped the country’s telecom market, according to the Economic Survey 2025-26.

The survey noted that Pakistan has historically maintained a relatively low ARPU compared to regional markets because of intense competition among telecom operators and some of the most affordable mobile service rates in the region. However, the sector is now witnessing a gradual increase in user spending, driven by the growing use of mobile broadband, flexible pricing regulations amid inflationary pressures, and a decline in the multi-SIM phenomenon.

Despite the increase in ARPU, Pakistan remains one of the world’s most affordable data markets. The cost of 1 GB of data in Pakistan stands as low as $0.12, making it the lowest in the region and the sixth lowest globally. The effective price of 1 GB of data has also declined by 56 percent since FY2018, falling from Rs 77.1 per GB to Rs 34.3 per GB during July-December FY2026.

The Economic Survey said the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s strategic objective is to provide affordable, high-quality telecom services while ensuring that operators and investors receive a reasonable return on investment. A competitive broadband market and proactive regulation have helped keep data prices low, even as usage continues to rise.

Broadband consumption has surged sharply in recent years, reflecting the growing role of digital services in everyday life. Combined data usage from mobile and fixed broadband services reached 27,727 petabytes in FY2025 and increased further to 30,783 petabytes in FY2026, underscoring the rising demand for connectivity across the country.

Smartphone adoption has also accelerated, supporting higher data usage and increased digital participation. From January 2019 to March 2026, Pakistan manufactured 161.6 million mobile handsets, including 67 million smartphones. As a result, smartphones now account for 71.6 percent of devices on telecom networks.

The survey said the PTA introduced mobile device manufacturing regulations in 2021, which encouraged the establishment of local manufacturing plants by 36 local and foreign companies. These companies, operating both independently and through joint ventures, secured 10-year mobile device manufacturing authorizations, helping develop Pakistan’s local handset manufacturing ecosystem and creating employment opportunities.

Telecom infrastructure expansion has also supported the broadband boom. By the end of December 2025, the total number of cellular sites in Pakistan reached 60,014. Between June 2022 and September 2025, cellular mobile operators deployed 8,246 additional cell sites.

In addition, telecom operators have made multibillion-rupee investments in upgrading existing 2G sites to 4G technology. Currently, 97 percent of cell sites are 4G-enabled, with further upgrades underway to improve network quality and broadband coverage.

The latest data suggests that Pakistan’s telecom sector is entering a new phase, where low data prices continue to support mass connectivity while rising smartphone use and broadband consumption gradually improve operator revenues.

Also read:

Pakistan’s Smartphone Usage Hits 71.6 Percent as Digital Adoption Accelerates, Economic Survey Shows