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ISLAMABAD — The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s Q1 2025 Quality of Service survey reveals significant shortcomings in mobile broadband across urban areas and major roadways. Only one operator, a city specialist, has achieved flawless 4G coverage in urban centres.
Urban Coverage: Only Zong Meets 90% Confidence in All Areas
In tests conducted across 15 cities, the PTA requires each operator to maintain at least 90% confidence in 4G signal strength. Zong was the only operator to fully comply, achieving this standard in all 15 locations and recording no non-compliant results. In contrast, Jazz fell short in two cities, Ufone in three cities (notably including Pano Aqil with only 49.73% signal confidence), and Telenor failed to meet the requirement in seven urban centers.
Highways: No Operator Clears All Eight Routes
On eight motorways and highways, the situation worsens. PTA’s benchmark again demands ≥90% 4G confidence; none of the four CMOs met this on every route. Zong failed on four stretches, including the Rawalpindi–Jhelum (N-5) where confidence dipped to 85.32%; Jazz missed two routes; Ufone fell on four; and Telenor on five PTA.
Data Throughout Gaps Persist
Despite peak 3rd-party app speeds—Zong hit 38.21 Mbps on the M-9 (Hyderabad–Karachi) and 30.69 Mbps on the N-5 (RWP)—average auto-mode download speeds frequently dipped below the 4 Mbps regulation on half the highways. Jazz led in seven of eight routes for auto-mode throughput, but still registered sub-standard speeds on Faisalabad–Jhang and Sukkur.
Regulatory Imperative
With mobile data now essential for commerce, education and safety, these findings demand urgent network densification and backhaul upgrades. PTA has the authority to levy fines under the 2021 QoS Regulations; operators risk escalating penalties if systemic lapses persist.
