Industry Overview and Trend Since the time telecom ICT industry took the center stage in Pakistan,

it has seen exponential growth and ample availability of trained human resource. In 2008, the telecom and ICT sector in Pakistan was declared as the one displaying fastest growth patterns. One main reason for this growth has been readyaccess to comprehensive infrastructure. The opportunities in the Pakistan telecom sectors are simply overwhelming. Currently, there are 122.12 Million mobile phone subscribers in Pakistan and the number might increase twofold in upcoming years. Apart from this, the ICT sector is thriving as well with a 16 % + yearly penetration rate. PTA as regulator of the telecom sector of Pakistan has strived hard to establish a competitive, fair, progressive, consumer oriented, and business friendly regulatory environment in the country. The breakup of the users and teledensity shows %age of mobile subscribers are increasing constantly with a slight increase in local loop users in the past.

Users While mobile phone users as of March 2013 stood at 122.12 million, number of fixed local line users was 2.98 million as users now prefer mobile phones over fixed local loop number. Wireless local loop users has also increased as it gives convenience of portability, currently as of Sep 2012 WLL users were 2.927 million.

Telecom Revenues Telecom revenues as compared to Rs. 362.9 billion in 2010-2011 rose to Rs. 411.4 billion in 2011-2012. There is a potential that these revenues will raise with the introduction of 3G/4G technology. Telecom Contribution to Exchequer The sector contributed Rs. 133.4 billion in taxes in the last fiscal year as compared to Rs. 117 billion during 2010-2011. Investment and FDI Currently the telecom sector shares about 5% of the total FDI flowing into the country which is approximately $ 80 million. In the last year the net investment in the sector $ 240 million. Future expectations As with the new government taking charge the 3G spectrum will be introduced soon whereas some industry experts stress on moving directly to 4G which will increase mobile phone usage and revenues for the telecom operators. New investment that has been on a decline in the past couple of years from a record of $ 3974 million is expected to see a rise again.