Pakistani firms answer call for cell phones

Tens of thousands of Pakistanis endured hours of stifling heat this week to accept an offer of free mobile phone connections, a sign of the pent-up demand in a country where cell phone usage has remained low.

But that may soon change. While only about 4.5 million of Pakistan's 150 million people currently have mobile phones, industry executives say fierce competition and cheaper technologies are forcing prices down to eye-catching levels…