Pakistan - Telecommunications Infrastructure

Synopsis

Over a 15 year period, the number of fixed exchange lines in service in Pakistan had increased more than fivefold. There are a number of problems, however: the majority of working lines are in urban areas, but 70% of Pakistan’s population lives in rural areas; and by 2008/09, growth had stalled. A more balanced distribution needs to be developed between urban and rural for the longer term, and this in turn may give the stalled market the boost it needs to grow again. Wireless Local Loop (WLL) technology is showing signs of being one solution to both these issues. In the meantime, there are five gateway exchanges in Pakistan’s international network - two in Islamabad and three in Karachi. Through these earth stations international telephone, data and video services operate. This report looks at the various aspects of the Pakistani’s telecommunications infrastructure, including its participation in satellite and submarine networks.

Table of Contents

• 1. Synopsis
  
• 2. Telecommunications infrastructure
  
  • 2.1 National telecom network
    
    • 2.1.1 Fibre optic networks
      
    • 2.1.2 Broadband networks
      
    • 2.1.3 Payphones and Public Call Offices (PCOs)
      
    • 2.1.4 Wireless Local Loop (WLL)
      
    • 2.1.5 Next Generation Networks (NGNs)
      
  • 2.2 International infrastructure
    
    • 2.2.1 Submarine cable networks
      
    • 2.2.2 Satellite networks and systems
      
    • 2.2.3 VSAT networks
      
    • 2.2.4 Paksat Project
      
  • 2.3 Infrastructure developments
    
    • 2.3.1 Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
      
    • 2.3.2 IP networks
      
• 3. Related reports
  

• Table 1 – Fixed lines in service and teledensity – 1991 - 2011
• Table 2 – Growth in Public Call Offices (PCOs) – 1999 - 2007
• Table 3 – WLL subscribers – 2005 - 2009
• Table 4 – WLL subscribers by operator and market share – July 2009
• Table 5 – Fixed subscriber growth – wireline and fixed wireless (WLL) – 2004 - 2009