ISLAMABAD: The government has received Rs3.1 billion on account of license renewal fees from three mobile operators Telenor Pakistan, Jazz and Ufone for operating in Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit.
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87% of Pakistanis Have Internet Access: PTA
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has claimed that Internet services are available to 87 percent of the population in Pakistan at the lowest rates in the region.
The demand for Internet services grew immensely in Pakistan during the lockdown in 2020 due to increased use of social media and communications applications, video streaming, and online sessions. However, the quality of the services remains comprised and has been termed as ‘poor’ in many areas by users.
Reportedly, a supportive regulatory environment, effective competition, the presence of innovative international telecom operators, and the continued resolve of the regulator to harness advanced technologies has resulted in widespread availability of Internet services to over 87 percent of the population at one of the lowest rates in the region; and mobile data prices have declined by only 0.70 percent of the Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, which is well
Telcos Earned Rs. 537.2 Billion and Contributed Taxes of Rs. 137 Billion in FY2020: PTA
The Telecom sector in Pakistan withstood the impact of COVID-19 and showed sustainable revenues of Rs. 537.2 billion in the fiscal year 2019-20 (FY2020) as compared to Rs. 550.4 billion in FY2019.
The sector also made a significant contribution of $622.5 million (24 percent) to the total net Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the country. This was revealed by the Annual Report 2020 released by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Thursday.
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The sector’s contribution to the national exchequer also increased by 129 percent (Rs. 278.4 billion), owing to deposits of $687.8 million by Cellular Mobile Operators (CMOs) under license and spectrum renewal fee and a substantial increase in General Sales Tax (GST) and Withholding Tax (WHT), which remained suspended last year on the directions of the Honorable Supreme Court of Pakistan.