ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) chairman Dr Syed Ismail Shah here on Monday called for investment in advanced 3G and 4G mobile broadband technologies in Pakistan to provide high quality mobile broadband services on a par with leading services around the world.

He was speaking at a conference on ‘Connected Pakistan — 3G, 4G Perspectives.’

Danny Atme, GM Networks, Nokia Pakistan, said that a study has shown that mobile broadband users in Pakistan were increasingly demanding high-speed mobile broadband and significantly improved network coverage across the country.

Other speakers belonging to the industry highlighted the challenges facing telecom companies in Pakistan including high taxation despite low average revenue per user (ARPU).

It was highlighted that the telecom companies needed to invest more in advanced 3G and 4G technologies to build and run the networks cost efficiently.

The study said that the average per continent internet user penetrations are 63 per cent in Europe, 28pc in Asia, 16pc in Africa and 56pc in Americas. However, it was mere 10pc in Pakistan, which leaves significant room for potential mobile internet customers.

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2014