Market Overview Of Mobile Companies in Pakistan

The Pakistan market has nearly 97 million subscribers as of Nov2009 (PTA data).The growth slowed down in 2009 but has picked up again gradually. See more about the recent competition among mobile network providers. For those interested in the change from last year, the chart below shows the market share of mobile phone companies of Pakistan, as of September 2008. Compared with July, the market share changed little. Mobilink lost 1% share (35%), picked up by Zong which is cash rich and has a ready-to-invest attitude. The ARPU in Pakistan remains low and is not projected to go up. The year 2008 was marked by changes in SIM sales and registration process, enforced by PTA, the government regulator. If you are interested in the actual numbers and analysis, leave a comment for me. Now let’s review some recent history. At 2006 year end the total subscribers were 48.2 million. In June 2007 the total mobile users reached over 63 million. Based on numbers published at PTA website for 2007, the total number of subscribers (technically it is the number of SIMs issued) was 76.6 million, a teledensity of nearly 49%. In 2007 the average growth rate was about 2.5 million new subscribers each month! After second half of 2007 it seemed as if the growth had slowed down but overall it was fine. One remarkable achievement was by Zong (formerly Paketl) which launched very successful campaigns towards 2007 end completed rebrand launch in April of 2008. See this chart for a breakdown of market share by mobile companies at the end of Q1 of 2007. For detailed one-page tariff information for all the packages (pre-paid and postpaid) offered by the mobile companies, refer to the consumer notice from PTA below - posted as of August 4, 2008. Here’s a brief description of the top mobile companies in Pakistan. At the top is Mobilink, the Pakistani unit of Egypt-based telecom company Orascom. It has been operating in Pakistan since 1994. Subscriber share is 35% at the end of Sep 2008. Ufone, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pakistan Telecommunication Co. Ltd (PTCL), is now under the control of Etisalat group of UAE. It has 21% of subscriber share and added the most lines (2.4 million) from 2006-07. For those in Pakistan it is the one company where they can easily invest locally. Warid, owned by the Abu Dhabi group of the United Arab Emirates and sister of Wateen group is number 4 with 18% market of subscribers. Recently it sold 30% share to SingTel. Norway’s Telenor, a recent entrant with about a billion US dollar investment in Pakistan has been doing well, based on its recent earning report. It has about 20% of the market share. Telenor stock is listed in the Oslo stock market (TEL) and in US(TELNY.PK). CMPak (Zong brand), formerly Paktel, was the latest target of foreign acquisition. After it got acquired by China Mobile it was rebranded as Zong and launched one of the most successful and aggressive campaigns. Within a matter of few months, Zong has achieved a 6% market share. 2. Fixed Wireless (WLL)Please see this post for an overview of the WLL operators and technology. Wireless local loop services are based on CDMA and are considered an alternative to copper lines. Recently rebranded Vfone service by PTCL is the market leader and recently there have been many intersting marketing and pricing moves. You may also follow this link for a list of WLL providers from PTA site. 3. WiMAXThis post provides a summary of WiMAX situation in Pakistan. Wateen has emerged as the largest player and has started advertising for its WiMAX services though as of Sep 2007 the pricing had not been announced. Mobilink Infinity also started commercial WiMAX service in Karachi. Dancom used to be an independent provider but it was acquired by Mobilink. Wi-tribe is another player. 4. Voice over IPCompanies providing VOIP and call forwarding services. In other words: International calls, local rates. See my posts about VOIP related issues for Pakistan.

Telenor talkshawk Har Second

Telenor talkshawk Her Second

The smartest package to call any network, anytimeTelenor introduces another exciting new prepaid package – Telenor talkshawk Har Second, with amazing call rates, freedom to recharge through Easyload and a lot more.

All existing Telenor Prepaid customers can convert to Telenor Talkshawk Har second for Rs.10 (inclusive of tax)

With IVR Dialing 345661/345662: Rs.0.25 exclusive of Tax

Or with SMS Sending "Migrate" to 345: Rs.2/SMS exclusive of tax

Balance validity is limited, based on recharge. Govt. taxes & CED apply (approx 36% in total).


Tariff:
Calls:
Friends & Family 3 Paisa (per sec)
Telenor to Telenor 4 Paisa (per sec)
Telenor to other networks 5 Paisa (per sec)

SMS: Rs.1 per SMS for all Networks in Pakistan

MMS, Internet & WAP:
MMS-Sending Rs. 5.00/MMS
Internet/WAP Usage (Upload/Download per MB) Rs. 15.00/MB

Missed Call Alerts:Rs. 50 + tax Per month

Content Download Charges (Basic Downloads):

Polyphonic Ringtones Rs. 5.00
Mono Content Rs. 2.00
Java games Rs. 25.00
Background/Logo/Wallpapers Rs. 5.00
Screensavers Rs. 5.00

Telenor talkshawk Har Second Friends & Family (F&F) Offer:

6 minutes FREE after EVERY 6 minutes during call on all Telenor FnF numbers
This is Limited time Offer, so don't delay to get benefit from this offer :)

TalkShawk Har Sec FnF is for 24 hours

3 Paisa per second including all taxes for friends and family.

Applicable Terms & conditions:

Subscriber can administrate these numbers by calling 555 or sending SMS to 345.
To administer FnF through SMS, use the following:

i) To add an FnF send “Add ” to 345
ii) To delete FnF send “Del ” to 345
iii) To edit FnF send “Edit ” to 345
iv) To view FnF send “FnF” to 345Where is the position at which you want to place the FnF number at (will be from 1 to 3) and is the mobile/PTCL number that you want as your FnF
Friends & Family administration charges through SMS are Rs.2 per SMS
3 Friends & Family numbers are available, subscribers have the option of either having all Friends & Family numbers as Telenor to Telenor or other networks. They can even have 2 numbers as Telenor to Telenor and 1 number as other networks and vice versa.
Friends & Family rates apply Throughout 24 hours.
Friends & Family functionality on all talkShawk subscribers has already been activated (there are no activation charges for this service).


Telenor talkshawk Har Second FAQs
What will happen to all existing Talkshawk Customers?
All existing Talkshawk customers will remain on Talkshawk 30 sec package
How can customer get this new package?
Customer will have to call 345 661 to migrate to this new package.
Who can migrate to this new package?
All current and new customers can migrate to this new package
What are the migration charges?
Migration charges are Rs 10 (inclusive of tax).
What will happen to already registered FnF numbers?
All the registered FnF numbers will remain as they are, only the new rates will be applicable
Is there any change in the FnF administration process?
FnF administration process will remain the same. Call 555 to add FnF
What will happen to migration process?
Migration process will remain as it is. Just dial 345661 and select Telenor Talkshawk per second for enjoying amazing call rates
What will be International Direct Dialing (IDD) rates?
All the IDD rates will remain the same and will be on 30 sec pulse
What will be the effect on Scratch Card & Eload Validity?
All the validities will remain the same


How to Activate/ Change Telenor Package:

Write “migrate” and send SMS to 345

The following menu will be received

Dear customer, please select the Price plan. Reply with your choice as 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5

1 Djuice Jagtey Raho
2 talkshawk A1
3 talkshawk 30 Sec
4 talkshawk Har Minute
5 Djuice


Now Reply with 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 as per your choice and Price Plan will be changed shortly (and subscriber will receive a confirmation SMS in case of successful Migration)