The development of telecom sector has resulted in a surge in the sale of mobile handsets in Pakistan, reaching the mark of around one million per month. There is a flood of different mobile handsets in the market, especially Chinese sets are the most favourite as they are available in latest features and designs and the price is also within the range of everyone.
The aforementioned figure clearly shows how much our nation has the craze for new mobile sets. Hiba, a student of third year in Comsats, said "Usually I spend my pocket money on buying mobile sets, as soon as a new model comes in the market".
The copy of branded cell-phones has made its way to the domestic market along with unique features of dual SIM system. According to a dealer at Gulzar-e-Quaid Market Rawalpindi, Chinese cell-phones of different brands are available from Rs1,500 to Rs12,000, depending on the variety and quality of a mobile. He said there are more than 50 Chinese brands usually imported but there are some 15 brands that have captured the local markets. No doubt, these handsets are cheap and have numerous features, which attract customers posthaste, he added.
Another dealer at Blue Area said that normally people are attracted by the handsets, which cost between Rs2,000 and Rs10,000 and have features of branded mobile sets costing Rs20,000 to Rs40,000. He said people ask for the sets, which have better quality camera along with sharp memory. The sets appeal to the masses who cannot buy Rs30,000 original brand of iPhone but can afford the Chinese brand in just Rs6,000 to Rs10,000 with one year warranty.
Sale of mobile sets remain the same, no matter the economy is in shambles. The ratio of mobile subscribers have reached around 100 million in Pakistan, which is a clear manifestation of telecom development in the country.