Telecom Sector Earns Rs 235bn in First 6 Months of FY 2017-18

According to the Economic Survey 2017-2018, Telecom Sector Earns Rs 235bn in the first two Quarters of FY 2017-18. During the first two quarters of the current fiscal year, the telecom operators invested around $322.9 million. Most of this investment was made by the cellular mobile sector amounting to $267.94 million.

Telecom Sector Earns Rs 235bn in First 2 Quarters of FY 2017-18

Also Check: Pakistan Leaves India Behind in Telecom Sector as Indian Telcos to Witness 40% Drop in Revenue

According to the Survey,

“The imports of mobile handsets increased to $526m during the first eight months of FY18 from $459.4m in the same period last year, a rise of 14.5pc,”

Import bill of other apparatus of telecom sector also increased by 12.9pc to $477.5m during this period compared to $422.8m in the corresponding period last year.

The telecom sector contributed Rs78.62 billion to the national exchequer in terms of taxes, regulatory fees, initial and annual licence fees, activation tax, and other charges during July-December period of FY18.

According to the survey, the transport group import bill surged by 46.6pc to $2.905.4bn during July-February period from $1.981bn.

The imports of completely built units of cars and motorcycles increased by 32.2 and 140.5 per cent, respectively.

According to the survey,

“Passenger vehicles, including motorcycles, are witnessing a burgeoning demand due to growing ride-hailing business and a sharp rise in auto financing by commercial banks,”

The report said the significant growth in the imports of auto parts correspond with strong sales of locally assembled vehicles.

According to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, the total cellular subscribers have reached the 149 million mark till March 2018. Among them 53 million are 3G/4G subscribers and 56 million are broadband subscribers in Pakistan.