All Smuggled Phones To Stop Working In Pakistan

The government has devised a system to block all illegally imported mobile phones by the end of this year, said Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry. Addressing a media briefing, he said the government had prepared a mechanism that will help halt smuggling of cellphones. According to a report released in September this year, the number of cellular subscribers in Pakistan has reached 151 million by the end of July 2018, indicating an upward trend with each passing month.

The Telecom sector is one of the fastest growing segments of Pakistan’s economy as The Telecom industry has seen a dramatic increase in mobile broadband as well, as penetration over the past five years as mobile broadband subscribers reach 57.32 billion with teledensity of 27.73 on the other hand Basic Telephony subscriber 3 million with 1.30 percent Teledensity. Mobile broadband users remain significantly higher than fixed broadband user to the dominance of the mobile platform in the country.

The statistics issued by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) have showed that number of mobile phone users reached 151 million by July 2018, as compared to 145.99 million by end of January 2018. The official of the Ministry, speaking with the state-run wire service recently, said 4G network roll outs continue across the country. By 2017, over 30 percent of Pakistan population was covered by a 4G network.

Pakistan has seen a dramatic increase in mobile broadband penetration over the past five years with market penetration increasing from below one percent in 2012 to 24 percent in 2017, he added.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has directed mobile phone users to register their cellular devices with the authority. In a text message sent to mobile phone users, PTA has warned that non-compliant devices will not work after October 20.

To register your cellular device, you have to send your IMEI number via SMS to 8484. You can check your IMEI number by dialing *#06#.

In response, PTA will send a reply confirming whether your phone is compliant. In a press conference following a cabinet meeting in the federal capital, Chaudhry said the government has devised a framework to block illegal imports of mobile phones by the end of this year. “By this year’s end, [all] smuggled phones in the country will stop being operational,” he said.

The post All Smuggled Phones To Stop Working In Pakistan first appeared on Content.PK.