Internet Usage in Pakistan Climbs to Record High, PTA Report Reveals

ISLAMABAD: As digital connectivity deepens across the country, Pakistanis are consuming more internet data than ever before. According to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s (PTA) latest report titled State of Mobile 2024, the average monthly data usage per individual has surged to 8.4 gigabytes.

The figure represents a 13.5 per cent increase compared to the previous year. Over a four-year span, the rise is even more pronounced — a 71 per cent jump from 4.9GB in 2020 to 8.4GB in 2024, underscoring the rapid adoption of online services despite ongoing economic pressures.

During Fiscal Year 2024-25, total mobile data usage reached 13,002 petabytes, reflecting a 20 per cent year-on-year increase. Fixed broadband usage saw an even sharper rise of 29 per cent, totalling 12,120 petabytes.

The PTA attributed this growth to wider 4G availability, greater smartphone penetration, increased demand for video streaming and social media platforms, as well as the sustained use of digital tools for remote work and education.

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Broadband penetration now stands at 57 per cent, signalling steady progress in connectivity. However, the regulator cautioned that infrastructure challenges persist, noting that only a small proportion of users currently have access to fibre-based networks — a key requirement for high-speed and reliable internet.

The report also highlighted rising costs. The average price of mobile data per gigabyte climbed to Rs26.6 in FY2024, marking a 4.3 per cent increase. Meanwhile, the Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) for mobile services rose to Rs276 per month.

The PTA said that sustaining this digital momentum will require continued investment in network expansion and policies aimed at improving affordability and accessibility for underserved regions.