By Moaaz Manzoor

Pakistan ranks among the region’s most affordable mobile data markets, with prices starting at just $0.12 per gigabyte and a 2GB broadband basket priced at $1.02, according to an official document available with Wealth Pakistan. The document shows that a Broadband Deals (UK) survey places Cambodia and Pakistan jointly among the world’s 10 most affordable markets for mobile data at $0.12 per gigabyte, followed by India at $0.16. A global comparison by International Telecommunication Union also confirms that Pakistan’s 2GB mobile broadband basket, priced at $1.02, is the lowest among several regional countries, including Bangladesh at $1.29, Uzbekistan at $1.18, India at $1.86, Bhutan at $1.87, and Nepal at $2.17. However, Pakistan also has one of the region’s lowest Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) rates, recorded at $1.12 in the first quarter of 2025, compared to Singapore’s $15.84, the Maldives’ $14.67, and Malaysia’s $9.14.

According to the document, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the country’s telecom sector regulator, can designate operators with Significant Market Power (SMP) in the relevant telecom market. Once an operator is classified as SMP, the PTA may regulate its tariffs. Mobile operator Jazz has been designated as the SMP operator in Pakistan’s retail mobile market and thus it must seek PTA approval before changing its retail tariffs under the Mobile Tariff Regulations 2025. Other operators, including Telenor, Ufone, and Zong, do not need prior approval for tariff revisions, though PTA may intervene if any change harms consumers’ interests.

PTA also operates a consumer complaint system through an online portal and mobile app, allowing users to report issues, seek refunds, and request regulatory action. The Authority also compares published tariffs with approved ones to ensure compliance and transparency.
From March 2021 to May 2024, fuel prices increased by 158%, inflation rose by 83%, the policy rate jumped by 214%, and the rupee depreciated by 44% against the US dollar, significantly increasing the operating and financing costs of mobile companies, leading to tariff adjustments, according to the document.

PTA’s data for 2020-2024 shows that the average annual revenue growth of the mobile industry stood at 9%, while the average annual inflation during the same period was 17%, indicating that industry earnings have not kept pace with rising costs. The document shows Jazz registered 11% revenue growth over five years, Telenor 3%, Zong 12%, and Ufone 11%.

Credit: INP-WealthPk