Telecommunications in Pakistan clarifies the overall environment for the mobile telecommunications, telephone, and Internet marketplaces in Pakistan. The Telecommunications Ordinance of 1994 established the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Pakistan’s first independent telecommunications regulator, as well as the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd (PTCL), a state-owned monopoly.

In this article, Tashheer’s research team compiled a list of the top 6 telecom companies that play an extremely important part in shaping the connectivity and communication industry of Pakistan, contributing to the country’s economic development and technological advancement. According to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Jazz has the most customers (75.00 million), followed by Telenor (49.19 million), Zong (44.80 million), and Ufone (23.47 million). The Pakistan Telecom Market is predicted to be worth USD 4.52 billion in 2024 and will increase at a CAGR of 3.28% over the forecast period (2024-2029).

List of The Top Six Telecommunications Service Providers in Pakistan

Explore the top 6 telecommunications companies in Pakistan, renowned for their reliable services and innovative solutions. From mobile networks to internet service providers, these companies offer a wide range of services to meet the needs of consumers and businesses alike. Stay connected with high-quality voice and data services from these leading telecommunications providers in Pakistan.

Jazz

PMCL, often known as Jazz, is Pakistan’s largest mobile network and internet service provider, formed by merging Mobilink and Warid Pakistan. It is headquartered in Islamabad and provides a wide range of services to both individual and corporate clients. The current CEO is Aamir Hafeez Ibrahim. Formerly known as Mobilink, the company was created in 1994 as a joint venture between the Saif Group and Motorola Inc. and was formally rebranded as Jazz in 2017. As of October 2023, Jazz had 70 million subscribers in Pakistan, with 43 million of them using 4G. It has the largest market share among all mobile network operators, at 37%. Jazz boasts a broad customer base and offers a wide array of services including voice calls, SMS, and fast-speed internet.

Services offered by Jazz

Jazz, Pakistan’s leading mobile network operator and digital provider, offers a wide range of services for both individuals and businesses: 

For Business:

• Customizable voice, data, & internet solutions.
• Cloud services, digital marketing, & enterprise apps.
• Wide network coverage & dedicated support.

Ufone

Pak Telecommunication Mobile Limited (PTML), a prominent telecommunication company in Pakistan, operates under the brand name Ufone. It is a Pakistani GSM cellular service provider, the third mobile operator to enter the Pakistani market. It began operations in Islamabad on January 29, 2001, under the brand name Ufone. PTML is a completely owned subsidiary of Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited. Following the privatization of PTCL, Etisalat acquired Ufone in 2006. Ufone is Pakistan’s 2nd largest mobile service provider, with 25 million subscribers. It has the lowest market share of the four mobile operators, at 13%. Ufone has now expanded its 4G coverage to 20 major cities of Pakistan including Lahore, Karachi, Faisalabad, and Sialkot. Ufone joined the Emirates Telecommunications Corporation Group (Etisalat) in 2006.

Product list offered by Ufone

Product list is given below.

Telenor

Telenor ASA is a major Norwegian multinational telecommunications company founded in 1955 and headquartered in Fornebu, Bærum, near Oslo. It is a top company across the Nordics and Asia with 158 million subscribers and annual sales of around NOK 99 billion (2023). Telenor Pakistan (Pvt.) Limited, founded in 2004, is a Pakistani wireless network operator located in Islamabad. It is Pakistan’s second-largest cellular network. Khurrum Ashfaque is the current CEO of the company.

Services and Products offered by Telenor

Some of the thematic areas they focus on include

Zong

CMPak Limited operating under the brand name Zong, is a Pakistan-based mobile data network operator owned by China Mobile. It is China Mobile’s first international setup, following the acquisition of a Millicom license to operate a GSM network in Pakistan in 2008. Zong is a 100% subsidiary of China Mobile. It is Pakistan’s second-busiest mobile service provider, with 47 million subscribers, including 33 million 4G/LTE subscribers. With over 14,000 4G-enabled sites around the country, it holds a 24% market share among cellular operators in the country. Zong presently uses UMTS/HSPA+, GSM and LTE technologies. Zong actively invests in technological advancements, constantly improving their network and testing innovative solutions such as 5G technology.

Products offered by Zong Pakistan

PTCL

Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd., usually known as PTCL is the national telecommunication company in Pakistan, founded in 1947. It began as a telephone and telegraph department in 1947 and has since expanded to provide the most advanced digital and telecommunication technologies available today. PTCL provides telephone and internet services throughout the country and serves as the backbone of the country’s telecommunications infrastructure. The company manages and runs around 2000 telephone exchanges across the country, constituting the nation’s largest fixed-line network. Data and backbone services including GSM, HSPA+, CDMA, LTE, broadband internet, IPTV, and wholesale are becoming increasingly important. PTCL saw a reduction to 62% ownership as 26% was sold to Etisalat and 12% to the public in 2006. Despite this, the government still manages 62% of shares in state-owned corporations in Pakistan.

Services offered by PTCL

Multinet

Multinet Pakistan, founded in 2002, is one of the premier information and communication solution providers for leading enterprises in the region. Multinet is well-known for providing dependable connection solutions via its 14,000+ km long self-healing and scalable optical fiber network, which serves over 120 cities in Pakistan, as well as a diverse portfolio of managed services solutions and a wide range of IT-related services. They provide specialized solutions to their valued customers ranging from Single/Multi-site Local or International Data solutions, Backhauling Solutions, Internet connectivity & IP Transit solutions, Enterprise Voice & Video Conferencing Solutions, Cloud Computing and Data Center services as well as Virtualization and VSAT solutions.

Brands & Services

Strength

 Uppermost Six Telecommunications Service Providers in Pakistan

Here is the list of the best 6 fastest internet service providers in Pakistan by market share

Final Words

Pakistan’s telecom sector is very competitive, with Telenor, Zong, Jazz, and Ufone leading the way. In this article, our Tashheer research team compiled a list of the top 7 telecommuting companies in Pakistan. With the potential of 5G on the horizon, cloud computing reshaping the industry, and a young, tech-savvy generation driving demand, the possibilities are truly limitless. Each provider brings their strengths and unique services and products to the specific area paying attention to the diverse needs of the population. From launching services to creating a widespread network presence, each company has left its mark on the telecoms industry, influencing the way Pakistanis connect, communicate, and collaborate in the 21st century. Whether it’s affordable data packages, trustworthy connectivity, or technological advancements, users have a range of options to select from. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of each provider helps users make well-informed decisions and select the telecom provider that best suits their demands.