Pakistan, like many other developing countries, has seen an explosion in its mobile communications market in recent years. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) reported a 65.4 percent mobile teledensity (The number of mobile phones in use for every 100 individuals) and a total of 108,894,518 subscribers in June 2011. The number of subscribers has increased threefold since 2005.

Measuring the number of mobile phone users is challenged by shared use of phones, those who own more than one SIM card, and the ownership of SIM cards by non-phone owners. While the number of mobile subscribers is officially 108 million, according to the PTA, those with phone access might be higher and conversely those with actual mobile phone ownership might be lower.

This dilemma is illustrated in studies of mobile phone access and use by gender in Pakistan. According to the Pakistan Institute of Public Opinion (PIPO) 2010 Media Report, there seems to be a large gender disparity in mobile phone ownership. However, the 2010 Mobile Life Pakistan Report produced by the Gilani Research Foundation measures regular use as opposed to ownership. Very different results appear.

In addition to gender, James Linton Williams, founder of the Popular Engagement Policy Lab (PEPL) talks about similar disparities across income groups on a recent PEPL report. He cites 2009 survey data from LIRN Asia, where they surveyed the poorest 60 percent of Pakistan’s population. The study shows that, of the 109 million people in that bracket, only 40.33 million own mobile phones, but 104.64 million (96 percent of the 109 million) had used a phone in the three months prior to the survey.

Regarding mobilephone activities, most Pakistani mobile users use their mobile phones to make calls, according to the 2010 Mobile Life Pakistan Report. Another activity, known as missed calling, is also popular. This involves dialing a number, and then immediately when the calls gets through, disconnecting it after 1-2 rings and before the receiver picks up in order to save both parties from being charged incoming or outgoing rates. Many Pakistanis might have predetermined signals that these missed calls give (for example: a missed call could mean the caller will be home in 10 minutes, or has reached a destination, or will be here to pick you up). In general it is a free way to communicate.

(Source: AudienceScapes)
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