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Pakistan’s mobile market continued its steady growth in December 2025, with the total cellular subscriber base surpassing 200 million, according to official data released by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
By the end of December, the total number of mobile subscribers reached 200.55 million, up from 196.584 million in November, marking an addition of nearly 3.97 million users in just one month. This growth pushed the country’s teledensity- the number of mobile connections per 100 people from 79 percent in November to 80 percent in December. Overall teledensity climbed from 79.94 percent to 81.33 percent.
3G and 4G Users on the Rise
The adoption of 3G and 4G services also recorded significant growth. The total number of Next Generation Mobile Service (NGMS) users increased from 148.197 million in November to 150.588 million in December, representing a net addition of 2.391 million users. The NGMS penetration rate rose from 59.46 percent to 60.32 percent, reflecting steady uptake of mobile broadband services across the country.
Operator-Wise Growth Trends
| Operator | 3G Subscribers (Nov ’25) | 3G Subscribers (Dec ’25) | 3G Change | 4G Subscribers (Nov ’25) | 4G Subscribers (Dec ’25) | 4G Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jazz | 0 | 0 | 0 | 55,000,000 | 55,520,000 | +520,000 |
| Zong | 1,676,000 | 1,654,000 | -22,000 | 41,560,000 | 42,350,000 | +790,000 |
| Telenor | 932,000 | 888,000 | -44,000 | 26,920,000 | 27,420,000 | +500,000 |
| Ufone | 1,114,000 | 1,073,000 | -41,000 | 19,082,000 | 19,708,000 | +626,000 |
| Total | 3,722,000 | 3,615,000 | -107,000 | 142,562,000 | 145,000,000 | +2,438,000 |
- 3G numbers show a slight decline across most operators, reflecting the shift toward 4G.
- 4G user base continues to grow steadily, contributing to overall NGMS growth.
- Total figures do not include smaller or regional operators.
Jazz: While Jazz’s 3G user base remained stagnant at zero, its 4G subscribers increased slightly from 55 million to 55.52 million.
Zong: The operator saw its 4G subscriptions rise from 41.560 million to 42.35 million, although its 3G users declined from 1.676 million to 1.654 million.
Telenor Pakistan: 3G users fell from 0.932 million to 0.888 million, while 4G subscriptions grew from 26.92 million to 27.42 million.
Ufone: The telecom reported a drop in 3G users from 1.114 million to 1.073 million, but 4G users rose from 19.082 million to 19.708 million.
This data underscores Pakistan’s continued shift towards 4G networks, driven by faster internet speeds and increasing smartphone penetration. The rise in teledensity also reflects wider access to mobile services in both urban and rural areas.
Industry experts say the steady growth of 4G subscribers highlights consumer preference for high-speed internet services over traditional 3G networks. The gradual decline in 3G subscriptions across major operators points to a broader digital migration trend, signaling opportunities for mobile broadband expansion and related services.
