Zong (mobile network)

CMPak Limited,[1][2] doing business as Zong, is a Pakistani mobile network operator. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of China Mobile.[3]

It is the first overseas setup of China Mobile through acquisition of a license from Millicom to operate a GSM network in Pakistan in 2008.[4]

It is Pakistan's second-largest mobile service provider with a subscriber base of 54 million, among which 43 million are 4G/LTE subscribers. With over 15,000 4G enabled sites across the country, it has a market share of 26% among cellular operators in the country.[5]

Network

China Mobile Pakistan has invested more than US$2 billion so far to build up network infrastructure in Pakistan since 2008.[9]

Zong has built the second-largest cellular network in the country with over 15,000 base stations.[10] To go green, Zong has installed solar powered cell sites in various locations. It has country's largest solar power telecommunication network.[11][12]

Its network base stations, microwave links, IT support and transmission towers are maintained and provided by ZTE Pakistan.[13]

Radio frequency summary

Next generation mobile services

On 23 April 2014, Pakistan concluded the auction for the next generation of mobile spectrum. Zong paid $516 million for a 10 MHz spectrum in the 2.1 GHz frequency range for 3G and a 10 MHz spectrum in the 1.8 GHz frequency range for 4G, making it Pakistan's first 3G and 4G operator.[14]

LTE Advanced (4G+)

Zong has refarmed 5 MHz of its 2100 MHz 3G spectrum for 4G. They are currently deploying (via carrier aggregation) 15 MHz of Band 3 (1800 MHz), and 10 MHz of Band 1 (2100 MHz) for LTE-A.

5G Testing

As of August 2019, Zong is the first of three mobile network operators in Pakistan to successfully conduct 5G trials.[15][16] In the trial, speeds of up to 1.14 GB/s were achieved.[17]

5G launch

In preparation for the launch of 5G, Zong acquired 110 MHz of spectrum in the 2026 NGMS/5G Auction including 60 MHz in the 2.6 GHz band and 50 MHz in the 3.5 GHz band.[18]

Number scheming

Zong uses the following numbering scheme:

+92 3 1 N1N2N3N4N5N6N7N8N9

+92 3 7 N1N2N3N4N5N6N7N8N9

Where, 92 is the ISD code for Pakistan and is required when dialing outside the country, 3 is the mobile access code, and 1 or 7 are the prefixes for Zong allocated by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority. Omitting +92 would require 0 instead to represent local call, hence 031/037 are the general prefix and N1N2N3N4N5N6N7N8N9 is the subscriber number.

Zong Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH)

Zong plans to launch Fiber-to-the home (FTTH) Broadband internet. Initially the service will only be available in select areas of Karachi.[19]

trade name	Zong China Mobile Pakistan
type	Subsidiary
former name	Paktel
foundation	April 2008
location	Islamabad, Pakistan
industry	Telecommunication
area served	Pakistan
key people	Huo Junli (CEO)
products	Mobile services Data services Mobile banking Telephony
parent	China Mobile
homepage	www.zong.com.pk

Zong (mobile network)

History

Network

Radio frequency summary

Next generation mobile services

LTE Advanced (4G+)

5G Testing

5G launch

Number scheming

Zong Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH)

Marketing

Stores

Slogans

Products

Mobile banking

Timepey

PayMax

See also

External links

References