Pakistan’s broadband subscriber base reached 166.12 million in July 2026, taking broadband penetration to 65.79 percent, although several parts of the country continue to face internet coverage shortages.

According to data from the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT), total telecom subscriptions reached 212.96 million during the month, including 210.46 million mobile connections and 2.50 million fixed-line subscriptions.

The country’s overall tele-density stood at 84.34 percent.

Mobile Internet Dominates Broadband Market

Mobile broadband accounted for the overwhelming majority of Pakistan’s internet connections in July.

Of the 166.12 million broadband subscribers, 161.71 million accessed the internet through mobile networks, while only 4.41 million used fixed broadband services.

This highlights Pakistan’s heavy reliance on mobile networks for internet access, with fixed broadband accounting for a relatively small portion of total connections.

Despite the growing subscriber base, internet coverage remains uneven across the country, particularly in underserved and remote locations.

According to the ministry’s data, the main obstacles to expanding connectivity include the lack of commercial viability in certain areas, electricity supply problems and insufficient backhaul infrastructure.

These challenges make network expansion more difficult for telecom operators, particularly in locations where the cost of providing services is high compared with the potential revenue.

Improving electricity availability, expanding telecom infrastructure and strengthening backhaul networks will be necessary to extend reliable broadband services to underserved communities and narrow Pakistan’s digital divide.