Pakistan’s telecoms market will have to consolidate before the government can even consider a planned push into third-generation technology, according to the head of the only European operator in the country.
Telenor, the Norwegian telecoms group, said that there was not enough profit per phone user to justify having five mobile groups in Pakistan and operators would have to consider mergers or acquisitions in order to see significant growth.
Jon Eddy Abdullah, Telenor Pakistan’s chief executive, told the Financial Times: “Most markets are [divided between] three players. Three seems a very good number. Five is too many.”
Telenor entered Pakistan five years ago and is the second largest cellular phone operator after Mobilink, a subsidiary of Egypt’s Orascom Telecom . Pakistan’s other operators are Ufone, Warid Telecom and Zong.
Mr Abdullah refused to comment on speculation that Telenor would seek to buy out one of its smaller competitors in Pakistan. However, he conceded that consolidation would “drive every shareholder to talk to everyone else.”
Pakistan is part of broader expansion by Telenor across central and southern Asia, including operations in India, Thailand, Malaysia and Bangladesh.
Asia accounted for 26 per cent of revenues in 2008, with the rest coming from eastern and central Europe and the Nordic region.
Much of Telenor’s recent focus has been on its 67.3 per cent investment in Unitech Wireless of India . But the group also sees big potential in Pakistan, which has seen a phenomenal increase in the number of mobile phone users over the past decade.
According to statistics compiled by Pakistan Telecom Authority, the main telecoms regulator, there are about 95m subscribers in a country with a total population of 180m.
Mobile phone services are available across 90 per cent of the country.
The Pakistan government has said it is committed to moving from 2G to 3G mobile phone technology though it is yet to even outline a time frame for when that might happen.
Mr Abdullah said that the government would need to offer existing operators some incentives to move towards 3G.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Two Arrested Operating Illegal Gateway
Two Arrested Operating Illegal Gateway Exchange in Karachi
On 18th April 2010, a successful raid was carried out by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority in Green West Karachi with the help of Federal Investigation Agency Cyber Crime Wing. The raid resulted in confiscation of one functional Gateway Exchange with over hundred SIMs and other accessories. Two individuals have also been arrested from the location, who are being interrogated by FIA.
In last one year, PTA has conducted twenty seven (27) successful raids in different cities of Pakistan. During these aids forty five (45) culprits including some foreigners have been arrested along with confiscation of more than forty (40) Gateways, hundreds of SIMs/Connections and other accessories. The apprehended culprits are being interrogated by FIA and legal proceedings are underway to recover the millions of rupees loss to the national exchequer.
Chairman PTA, Dr. Mohammed Yaseen keen interest has helped enormously in achieving these results. PTA under his leadership has established highly advance technical monitoring system to identify such illegal activities throughout Pakistan. After identification of the illegal activity; Enforcement Division not only unearths the exact location of these networks but also launches crack down with the help of FIA to safeguard national interests.
thanx paktech
On 18th April 2010, a successful raid was carried out by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority in Green West Karachi with the help of Federal Investigation Agency Cyber Crime Wing. The raid resulted in confiscation of one functional Gateway Exchange with over hundred SIMs and other accessories. Two individuals have also been arrested from the location, who are being interrogated by FIA.
In last one year, PTA has conducted twenty seven (27) successful raids in different cities of Pakistan. During these aids forty five (45) culprits including some foreigners have been arrested along with confiscation of more than forty (40) Gateways, hundreds of SIMs/Connections and other accessories. The apprehended culprits are being interrogated by FIA and legal proceedings are underway to recover the millions of rupees loss to the national exchequer.
Chairman PTA, Dr. Mohammed Yaseen keen interest has helped enormously in achieving these results. PTA under his leadership has established highly advance technical monitoring system to identify such illegal activities throughout Pakistan. After identification of the illegal activity; Enforcement Division not only unearths the exact location of these networks but also launches crack down with the help of FIA to safeguard national interests.
thanx paktech
PTCL brings Ramadan Offer!
PTCL brings Ramadan Offer!
In the holy month of Ramadan PTCL has introduced a new sales promotion with bundle of attractions listed below:
New Connection in Rs.500 only:
All NTC customers will only pay Rs.500 as installation charges (offer valid till last day of Ramadan)
Free Telephone Sets:
Free telephone set for all NTC customers who apply for PTCL’s Fixed line during Ramadan
Discounted Tariff Rate for making calls to Saudi Arabia:
•Saudi Arabia Fixed: Rs.6.99 per minute
•Saudi Arabia Mobile: Rs.12.99 per minute
Ramadan Value Added Services:
•Live Tarawee from Khana Khaba
•Full Quran with Urdu translation
•Top 10 Naats
•Naats and Hamds
•Arabic Duas
•Arabic Islamic Nasheeds
•Prayer timings
•Names of Allah
•Sehar and Aftar timings
Service Short Code is 1324 and service tariff is Rs 2 / minute (Exclusive of Taxes)
Free Wake-up Call Service for Ramadan:
To activate dial: *55* HH MM # (time in 24 Hrs format)
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