Fiberization of mobile network sites in Pakistan rose by 3.1 percentage points over the past year, reaching 17.9 percent in 2025, up from 14.8 percent in 2024.
The increase reflects faster efforts to strengthen the country’s backhaul infrastructure, according to a report by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
As of June 2025, the total number of cell sites reached 58,423, while 4G sites stood at 56,694. Installed international bandwidth was recorded at 17.21 Tbps, and total data usage reached 27,727 petabytes.
A year-wise comparison shows steady growth in network infrastructure. In 2024, Pakistan had 55,777 total cell sites, including 53,245 4G sites, with 14.8 percent fiberization. In 2023, the total number of sites was 53,581, with 50,359 4G sites and 13.2 percent fiberization. In 2022, the network comprised 51,768 total sites, 47,759 4G sites, and 11.8 percent fiberization, showing consistent progress over the past three years.
Data consumption also continued to rise, increasing by around 10 percent over the last year. Total data usage reached 27,727 petabytes in 2025, compared to 25,141 petabytes in 2024. Of the 2025 total, fixed broadband accounted for 13,574 petabytes, while mobile data usage stood at 14,153 petabytes, indicating strong demand across both segments.
In earlier years, total data usage was 25,141 petabytes in 2024, including 12,120 petabytes fixed and 13,021 petabytes mobile. In 2023, data consumption reached 20,235 petabytes, with 9,385 petabytes fixed and 10,850 petabytes mobile. Usage stood at 16,250 petabytes in 2022, 7,280 petabytes fixed and 8,970 petabytes mobile, and 12,572 petabytes in 2021, split between 5,717 petabytes fixed and 6,855 petabytes mobile, reflecting a sustained year-on-year increase.
International connectivity capacity also expanded during the period. Installed international bandwidth reached 17.21 Tbps, while activated capacity stood at 13.01 Tbps as of June.
PTCL operates several submarine cable systems, including AAE-1 with 4.77 Tbps installed and 3.58 Tbps activated, IMEWE with 2.76 Tbps installed and 1.90 Tbps activated, and SMW4 with 2.58 Tbps installed and 1.98 Tbps activated.
Transworld International (TWA) runs TWA-1 with 2.8 Tbps installed and 2.6 Tbps activated, and SMW5 with 1.7 Tbps installed and fully activated. Cybernet operates the PEACE cable with 1.6 Tbps installed and 0.8 Tbps activated, while SCO manages the Pakistan–China OFC cable with 1.0 Tbps installed and 0.45 Tbps activated. Together, these systems contribute to the country’s overall international bandwidth capacity.
Reference Link:- https://propakistani.pk/2026/01/09/pakistans-mobile-networks-get-upgraded-as-fiberization-jumps/