Mobilink enjoys Highest Growth Rate in Pakistan
Pakistan Times Business & Commerce Desk

ISLAMABAD: Mobilink, the largest cellular service provider in Pakistan has the highest growth rates in the industry.

This was highlighted in a recently broadcast television interview of Zouhair A. Khaliq, who heads the massive operations of the premier cellular service company in this region.

According to market analysts Mobilink is expected to make an additional investment of US$1 billion in the next fiscal year and plans to increase subscriber base to well over 20 million by the end of 2006.

Currently, the company is leading the market with a lion’s share of over 56% which sums up to more than 15 million customers across Pakistan.

Khaliq who has spearheaded this phenomenal growth says confidently, “We have over 15 million subscribers today and currently the capacity to add another 2 to 3 million more; and with infrastructure development moving ahead at a rapid pace, we shall cross 20 million family members by the end of this year.”

The Mobilink chief was also of the opinion that with intense competition, aggressive investment, innovative marketing and affordability, tele-density in Pakistan has the potential to go up to 30 - 40 %.

This development augments well for the country where people are in anticipation of quality services with reduced costs.

“The success of Mobilink has been remarkable as people associate the company to have one of the highest growth rates in the industry, and the region,” said an industry specialist.

The increase and impact in tele-density is also attributed to the economic welfare of the country, as it has been determined in developing countries that an increase of 10% in tele-density increases a country’s GDP (gross domestic product) by 0.6 percentage points.

From Pakistan’s point of view, it is quite significant and can have a positive impact on other major sectors of industry.

The cellular subscriber base has increased sharply during the last fiscal year as information compiled by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority shows the number of cellular subscribers in Pakistan has now crossed 27 million mark, with some 2.3 million new connections issued in March 2006 alone.●