Mobilink

Pakistan’s 3G/4G user base increased 27 per cent to 37. 6 million in the six months to end-2016, with 4G subscribers nearly tripling to 2. 9 million. Mobile broadband penetration (3G/4G adoption) rose to 27.

Telenor Pakistan reportedly has raised concerns over the proposed Mobilink-Warid merger with the county’s Competition Commission, which is reviewing the deal for regulatory approval.

Three Pakistan operators have united in urging the government to drop its proposal to impose sales tax on SIM cards and handsets and called the device tax “irrational, illogical, arbitrary and incoherent”.

It’s been a difficult year for Pakistan’s mobile players, but the one bright spot in the market has been strong data revenue growth.

VimpelCom is looking to combine Pakistani unit Mobilink with local rival Warid Telecom, claiming the first merger in the country’s telecoms sector. The new entity will serve 45 million customers.

Pakistan’s top four operators added 4. 5 million 3G and 4G subscribers in Q3, a 33 per cent increase from the previous quarter. The country now has 18 million 3G and 4G users after adding 2.

Pakistan’s Mobilink and Bangladesh’s Banglalink have strong potential for revenue growth since mobile penetration and ARPU in the two countries are lower than in other emerging Asian markets, but new taxes will curb that growth.