WLL subscribers base touches 1.4m mark: PTA
By Ali Imran

ISLAMABAD—Wireless Local Loop (WLL) has registered a remarkable growth since its launch in 2004 with its current subscribers base touching 1.4 million mark.
The WLL tele-density stands at 0.8 per cent which although is very low but is a result of only one and a half year of operation, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) sources said here Thursday. The share of WLL density in total tele-density was almost negligible when the service was introduced but today this share has gone up to almost 2 per cent. Further the growth of WLL as compared to fixed line network is very high and it is expected that the share of this wireless system in total tele-density would further increase in the years to come.
This service was introduced with basic aim to provide telecom accessibility to rural and far-flung areas where laying of copper was difficult, the sources added. PTA is making utmost efforts for improvement of WLL segment and has taken a number of policy decisions, however, it is expected that it will take some time for the service to penetrate effectively in the country especially in the rural areas.
The Authority has also conducted a countrywide survey to check the quality of service of Wireless Local Loop operators and the implementation of limited mobility. It was observed in the survey that operators are not strictly following the determination on limited mobility. Therefore, they have been asked to implement the same and submit a compliance report to PTA. Talking about the division of subscribers among provinces, the sources said Punjab has the maximum share of subscribers, as all four operators are providing services in Punjab whereas in Balochistan, the WLL subscriber base is very low as there is not much coverage available.
The four operational companies of the system have covered all the provinces except for Balochistan, which is covered only by PTCL and Telecard. Similarly, Great Bear has only covered two cities Islamabad and Rawalpindi. As far as cell sites are concerned, PTCL being the largest WLL operators has maximum number of its cell sites closing to almost 700 followed by Telecard with 244 and World Call with 120 cell sites. In terms of population coverage, WLL network is covering 36 % of the population in the country.
Low penetration of WLL is a result of number of obstacles which include non availability of required investment with the operators, non-availability of the equipment in some frequency bands, higher tariffs for low-income target market and almost no commercial campaign of services by WLL operators.