Number of Internet users hits 12m

as published in The News International on January 1, 2006

ISLAMABAD: Internet usage in the country has witnessed a tremendous increase during the last couple of years with its users reaching a record number of 12 million.

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) which were concentrating in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad have now extended their services in other cities as well and this service is currently available in more than 2389 cities and towns in Pakistan.

According to Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the prices of Personal Computers (PCs) have seen substantial decrease and now more people have PCs at their homes.

Therefore, cheaply available Internet cards are used by the people to connect to the Internet at their residences etc.

Internet cards are available as low as Rs2.50 per hour, however, the Internet speed is still the point of concern for the users.

This trend of using Internet cards has also slowed down the growth of net cafes in the major cities.


Update on internet block: ISPs in Pakistan are still banning local access to Blogspot - seemingly due to defamation of Islamic figures therein.