PTA Q1 QoS Survey 2026
The PTA Q1 2026 QoS Survey has revealed fresh insights into how Pakistan’s major mobile networks are performing for everyday users. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority collected data from 18 cities, testing calls that drop mid-conversation, messages that fail to send, and fluctuations in internet speeds. This survey is important because it gives ordinary mobile users a clear picture of which network is actually delivering on its promises, rather than relying on advertisements or guesswork.
For beginners, it helps to understand that PTA does this kind of testing regularly to keep telecom companies accountable. The four major operators tested in the PTA Q1 2026 QoS Survey were Jazz, Zong, Ufone, and Telenor. Each one was scored across multiple categories including coverage, speed, latency, voice, and SMS, and the combined results decide who comes out on top overall.
Tecno Pova 8 Price in Pakistan Specs and Full Review 8000mAh Battery Gaming Phone 2026
Overall Rankings in the PTA Q1 2026 QoS Survey
When it comes to overall performance, Jazz emerged as the clear leader. Jazz recorded the highest overall KPI compliance rate at 95 percent, with 205 compliant checks out of 216, while Zong followed closely with 93 percent, Ufone stood at 89 percent, and Telenor recorded 78 percent. This means that out of all the technical checks performed, Jazz passed the highest proportion successfully.
This overall score is a good starting point for beginners trying to understand network quality, since it combines results from every category into one simple number. A higher percentage means the network is more consistently meeting the standards set by PTA across different cities and test types.
| Rank | Operator | Overall KPI Compliance |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jazz | 95% |
| 2 | Zong | 93% |
| 3 | Ufone | 89% |
| 4 | Telenor | 78% |
Coverage Results: Zong Leads Overall
Coverage refers to how widely a network’s signal reaches across different areas, including cities and surrounding regions. In 4G coverage, Jazz, Zong, and Ufone were all ranked first, with each operator meeting the required threshold in 16 cities, while Telenor ranked second in 4G coverage. This shows that three of the four operators are fairly close when it comes to basic 4G availability.
However, when fallback connections are taken into account, the picture shifts slightly. Zong took the lead in 3G fallback coverage and recorded the highest combined coverage compliance count, giving it the edge in the overall coverage category. For everyday users, this matters because a strong fallback connection ensures your phone stays connected even in areas where 4G signal might weaken.
Speed Results: Download and Upload Performance
Speed is often the first thing users notice, especially when streaming videos or downloading files. Jazz was the clear winner in download speeds, ranking first in 13 cities and second in four cities during auto-mode testing, and also leading third-party app download testing by ranking first in 11 cities and second in six. Zong took second place in both download categories, with Ufone in third and Telenor in fourth.
Upload speed told a different story. Zong was the strongest network for upload speeds, ranking first in 12 cities for auto-mode upload testing and first in 11 cities for third-party app upload testing, while Jazz placed second in both categories. This makes Zong a strong choice for people who frequently upload videos, share large files, or work remotely using mobile data.
The following table summarises how the two leading networks compare across speed categories:
| Category | Jazz | Zong |
|---|---|---|
| Download Speed (Auto-mode) | 1st | 2nd |
| Download Speed (App-based) | 1st | 2nd |
| Upload Speed (Auto-mode) | 2nd | 1st |
| Upload Speed (App-based) | 2nd | 1st |
Latency, Voice, and SMS Performance
Latency refers to how quickly data travels back and forth, which affects things like video calls and online gaming. Jazz ranked first in auto-mode latency with 16 compliant cities, while Ufone ranked second, followed by Telenor and Zong, and based on average latency Ufone recorded the lowest figure at 68 ms, followed by Jazz at 86.82 ms, Zong at 90 ms, and Telenor at 108 ms. In third-party app latency testing, Zong and Ufone shared the top spot, with Jazz close behind.
Voice and SMS results showed Zong and Jazz leading in different areas. Zong ranked first in voice service performance with 88 compliant KPIs and only two non-compliant ones, while Jazz came second with 86 compliant KPIs, followed by Telenor and Ufone. For SMS, the results favoured Jazz, which recorded 34 compliant SMS KPIs against two non-compliant ones, with Zong close behind at 33 compliant KPIs.
Key points beginners should keep in mind:
- A lower latency number is better, since it means less delay during calls, gaming, or video meetings
- Voice and SMS compliance scores reflect how reliably calls connect and messages get delivered without failure
Sehat Sahulat Program Revival in Islamabad: Free Healthcare for Deserving Patients in 42 Hospitals
Web Browsing and Final Verdict
Web browsing performance showed strong results across most networks. Jazz, Zong, and Ufone were all compliant in all 18 surveyed cities for webpage loading time, while Telenor ranked second with compliance in nine cities and non-compliance in the remaining nine. This indicates that for most users, opening websites and apps should feel smooth on three of the four major networks.
Looking at the bigger picture, the PTA Q1 2026 QoS Survey shows a close contest between Jazz and Zong. Jazz secured the overall win due to its strong all-round profile, leading in download speeds, SMS, auto-mode latency, and overall compliance, while Zong remained a very close competitor with better results in coverage, upload speeds, and voice calls. Meanwhile, Ufone performed well in latency and web browsing but lagged behind in speed and voice rankings, and Telenor finished last overall due to weaker results across coverage, speeds, browsing, and SMS.
Quick takeaways for choosing a network:
- If overall reliability, download speed, and SMS performance matter most, Jazz is currently the strongest all-round option
- If coverage, upload speed, or voice call quality are your priority, Zong is worth considering as a close alternative
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PTA QoS Survey?
It is a quality test conducted by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority to measure how well mobile networks perform across different cities. It covers coverage, speed, latency, voice, and SMS.
Which network won the PTA Q1 2026 QoS Survey overall?
Jazz won the overall survey with a 95 percent KPI compliance rate. Zong came in a close second with 93 percent compliance.
Which network has the best coverage according to this survey?
Zong leads in overall coverage due to its strong performance in 3G fallback areas. Jazz, Zong, and Ufone were tied for first in basic 4G coverage.
Is Jazz faster than Zong for downloads?
Yes, Jazz ranked first in download speed tests in both auto-mode and app-based testing. Zong followed in second place in both categories.
Which network is better for uploading files?
Zong performed best for upload speeds, ranking first in most cities tested. Jazz came in second place for both upload testing methods.
Which network had the lowest latency?
Ufone recorded the lowest average latency at 68 ms in this survey. Jazz followed closely at 86.82 ms.
NAVTTC Free Livestock Vocational Training Program 2026 Apply Now for Youth Employment Opportunities