47. Pakistan Economic Survey 2011-12 - Consultancy Services in ...

Transport andCommunicationsmobile companies. At the end of March 2012,there are 33,027 cell sites across Pakistan.Fig-13.4: Total Cell Sites33,02735,00031,30330,12628,15930,00025,00021,51820,00013,72515,00010,0005,00002006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 Mar-12Source: PTABasic ServicesBasic Services comprising of Local Loop (fixedand wireless) and Long Distance Internationalservices form the basis of telecommunicationinfrastructure of Pakistan. The technologicalrevolution, mainly wireless services, had a majorimpact on Fixed Local Loop business sincemobility, coverage, quality of service and lowmaintenance requirement shifted consumer focusfrom fixed to wireless services. The figure belowshows thedeclining trend in local loop subscribers,especiallyFLL services over the years. By the endof Dec, 2011, Local Loop (FLL & WLL)subscribers reached 5. 93 million all over Pakistan.Out of total 5.93 million subscribers 3.10 millionbelong to FLL and 2.83million to WLL.Fig-13.5: Local Loop Subscribers WLL FLLMillion7.00 (5.60)(6. 14) (6.08)(5.72)(5.93)6.001.165.002.622 2.662. .70 2.834.003.004.442.003.53 3.42 3. .02 3.101.000.002007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 Dec - 11Source: PTALong Distance InternationalLong Distance and International (LDI) is anotherpillar of Pakistan telecom sector, responsible forcarrying international traffic to and from Pakistan.LDI licensees are responsible for receivinginternational trafficfrom other countriesandhanding these overto their respective LL/mobileoperator for nation-wide long distance andinternational telephony service. PTA awarded 14licenses for LongDistance and Internationalservices and currently 13 of them are operational.PTCL is the largest LDI operator in the country asit also owns the international backhaul of Pakistan.The other major players include Link Direct,Wateen, WorldCalll and Telecard. Internationaltraffic in Pakistan isincreasing every year owing tolower tariffs and availability of internationalconnectivity throughh fiber optic and satellite links.During2011 total international traffic (Incoming +Outgoing) stood at 5,126 millionminutes.Fig-13.6: LDI International Incoming andOutgoing Traffic6000(5,126)International incoming TrafficInternational Outgoing Traffic (4,323)5000(3,751)Million Minutes4000300020001000800 999 1,123 1,231 1,1920Source:PTA(2,871)(2,409)3,9343,0922,6281,8721,609Oct-Dec 10 Jan-Mar11 Apr-Jun 11 Jul-Sep 11 Oct - Dec 11BroadbandThe growth of Broadband subscribers has beenmore than 150 percent on average for the last fouryears. Such an astounding growth rate highlightsthe tremendous potential in Pakistan’s broadbandmarket. Broadbandd subscribers have crossed theone million mark in 2011 with the highest netadditions in a year. According tothe latest marketdata, Broadband subscribers reached 1.9 million atthe endof February2012 with the penetration 1.1percent.185