Telecom Revenues Make Record Growth in 2011: PTA

by Ahmed Ali

The total revenues of the government and telecom operators swelled to an all-time high Rs. 362 billion in 2011, at the end of financial year, it was revealed in Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) report.

The telecom sector contributed more than Rs 116.9 billion to the national exchequer in the outgoing financial year 2010-11, PTA report said.

Accordingly, the GST/FED collections from the sector spiked by 20% to reach Rs 52.6 billion in the same year whereas Rs 7.2 billion activation tax collected.

PTA deposits reached to Rs12 billion whereas other taxes reached to Rs 45.2 billion.

Cellular income which constitutes major chunk of the telecom revenues was boosted by 11% to Rs. 262 billion from Rs. 236 billion. A modest increase in cellular industry’s ARPU was witnessed from US$ 2.41 in the previous fiscal year to US$ 2.45.

The revenues of local loop operators recorded Rs58.32 billion.

The wireless operators earned Rs4.84 billion.

LDI sector revenues reached to Rs 29.95 billion.

The value added sector made Rs 7.02 billion revenues in FY11.

The number of mobile subscribers at the close of FY2011 stood at 108.9 million, showing growth rate of 10%, double than that of the last year. Mobile penetration rose to 65.4% from 60.4% in the previous year.

In the past three years, PTA has collected around Rs. 40 billion against APC for USF. In its drive to curb grey traffic, the Authority saved revenue of US$ 26 million.