Posted by: Reality Bites on October 16, 2008 at 6:50 AM
According to PTA’s very recent public stats, the total numbers of cellular subscriber in Pakistan are soon going to hit 90 million mark. The saturated Telco’s market of Pakistan is now asking for QoS (Quality of Service), Continuous improvement in network infrastructure and customer service & care programs.
If we randomly analyze the Pakistan Telco’s market, we will get the findings that almost all of the major factors have been utilized. Recently, we all have observed new launches of Mobile Telco, though market was expecting huge change in pricing structures and in some DATA services to be free, but results were not as anticipated.
According to an estimation, it has been observed that most of the cellular subscribers utilize these connections as the secondary choice (few people may have different opinion here) and they registers every number as a habitual behavior. Thus investing millions of dollars in the same arena for customer acquisition is no more tactful attitude as it was before.
As pricing competition in Pakistan’s cellular market has almost broken every global record. The cheaper products & Services offer to try and beat off rivals’ offers, it’s a profit killer.
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Posted by: Muhammad Ali Raza on October 12, 2008 at 12:47 AM
I don’t want to write too much about this topic, but yes I surly want, in fact I demand my readers and authorities concerned to please do some thing about this or we will get destroyed…
I just saw a 10 years old kid coming out of a net café after watching porn (even and that net café doesn’t have internet connectivity).
My question is what this kid will have in hands after few years? What is going to be our future?
My Request to Net Café owners: Please look for other businesses, Allah has promised the livelihood and you gonna get it. Please don’t use ill means
My Request to Parents: You love your children more than anyone, keep an eye on them
My Request to FIA/ PTA/ Police: Don’t play with future of Pakistan, Please save us.
My Request to fellow bloggers and readers: Please spread the word, it counts
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Posted by: Bites85 on October 10, 2008 at 3:20 AM
Post by Bites85 of Newz on Fire
Mobile Phones surged into Human beings rapidly, and soon they got addicted to this technology marvel. There are almost 2.7 billion mobile users around the world, ranging from teens to tycoons. Every single person loves to hang out with this device – or say, they simply can’t think of life without it.
In Pakistan cellular industry has shown rapid growth, especially in last few years… As per PTA stats, there are 89 million mobile users in the country, which were only couple of millions some years ago. This clearly depicts that how gigantic Telecom Industry has become.
Every company is trying to beat its nemesis – and efforts are clearly seen to beat each other in this corporate battle. Where these cellular companies brought tons of investment into country, and played constructive role in bettering lifestyles, at same time the tussle between cellular companies has actively spoiled our youth. Every single boy and girl has a mobile phone and they are found texting and talking on their cell phone all the times.
Let’s discuss the impact on youth of various services and packages that cellular companies offer
Night Packages:
These days every company is providing very inexpensive (or even free) calls at night. These calls are like Rs. 5 and, hence are affordable for even an average teen. They talk all night long with their (girl/boy) friends. Use their pocket money to buy credits. At times, even they cheat their parents, and use mobile without their permission. Many boys and girls also talk to their so called lovers. Which can be basically termed as a teen crush?
A study done by a British institute revealed that late night mobile chatting makes teens tired and mentally distorted - as they have to wake up early. Consequently they can’t concentrate on their studies and are often found sleeping in their classes.
Sms Craze:
Messaging, messaging and messaging is what the teens do these days. It’s a symbol of being cool. The one who got more messages is considered the cool one. Teens forward jokes, romantic lines, riddles and even immoral adult messages. SMS Craze in teens can be judged by the typing speed and their accuracy to type messages on little dial pad. They just thumb the mobile and don’t stop.
Pedia Services:
Ask any question through sms is the newest service especially for the teens. Thanks to this service teens can now more efficiently cheat in their papers and quizzes. Zongopedia and ASK Telenor are two services. You can easily send a question through sms. Soon you receive answer and get good marks. It’s just another way to make money for these companies by ruining the careers of teens.
Wap/EDGE:
Now days you don’t need to turn on your pc on to use internet. Internet is just a click away thanks to wap/EDGE enabled mobiles. This service is good for the people who really need it. But teens normally use it to waste their time. First are the messengers which don’t let teens sleep at night, then comes the facebook and other social websites to keep them awake.
Un registered Sim cards:
The last thing which is the biggest menace is the un-registered sim cards. It gives you the passport to do all the wrong things because no one can catch you. I can bet that every single teen has a un-registered sim card. Our government tries so hard to block them but our teens are much smarter. You can talk to anyone, black mail them, do what ever you want.
Let me tell you a shocking thing about un-registered sim cards. I am doing my 2nd year from Army Public School & College, Ordnance road Rawalpindi. Yesterday there was a bomb blast threat at our school. Administration evacuated all the classes and asked the children to run to ground, and latter they were asked to leave for their homes earlier than routine time. Afterwards, they searched the school but it was just a rumor. Today through my close sources I got to know that it was a prank call made by a 7th class student from Saint Mary’s school Tulsa road Rawalpindi… He used an-unregistered sim card. Sadly he was caught by the authorities and God knows what they would have done with him.
MMS/Videos
There are hundreds of examples, where MMS and Videos of their lovers were captured by teenagers and what happens next is a topic that i am feeling is not good to touch… but one can imagine the seriousness of the issue!
Conclusion:
So who is responsible for all this? Cellular companies? Or we ourselves? Cellular companies are just doing their business. There goal is to make more and more revenue. As a business entity they don’t need to care about anything. In fact mobile companies encourage teenagers to call their lovers, for example in one of Telenor’s TVC, one guy asks another “Itnay minutes Aaliya ko mananay kay liye kafi hain na?”
So its we who let them spoil us. We are getting addicted to this device. Our parents should keep a check on us, at the same time we should save ourselves by controlling our desires. Think about it
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Posted by: Aamir Attaa on October 8, 2008 at 6:39 AM
In the ongoing campaign against unregistered/unverified cellular connections, the government has blocked a total of 10.5 million connections out of 90 million connections in Pakistan.
This was told in a high level meeting chaired by Dr. Mohammad Yaseen Chairman PTA, and involved chief executive officers of all cellular companies to discuss the progress of different deadlines given by the PTA for blocking of unregistered SIMs, blocking of more than 10 connections on single computerised national identity card numbers (CNICs) and on the proposed project for “Activation of SIMs After Verification”.
Below is excerpt from Business Recorder regarding this..
The PTA Chairman informed the CEOs that a considerable improvement had been seen in the verification process, however, the PTA felt that unless sale of Preactive SIMs were not stopped, full implementation on the SOP would not be possible.
The meeting discussed in detail the proposed system under which company would sell non activated SIMs and the mobile companies would activate the SIM after verification of subscriber’s antecedents from the Nadra.
The proposed system will have number of advantages. The control of sale/ verification will shift from franchisee/retailers to mobile companies; it will have added security parameters and being automated will be more reliable.
Since this is new concept, which requires considerable operational and administrative arrangements, therefore, the PTA Chairman formulated a working group of cellular mobile companies, Nadra and the PTA to propose workable solution so that all aspects of verification is catered by October 20 2008.
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Posted by: Aamir Attaa on October 8, 2008 at 4:41 AM
Pakistan Mobile Communication Limited has requested Pakistan Telecommunication Limited to transfer licenses of its affiliated companies that includes, Dancom Online, World Online, Link Direct, Mobilink, Intouch etc.
A very reliable source while confirming this news told that in addition to license transfer requests, PMCL has requested authority to grant additional licenses and O&M agreements for its affiliated companies.
On other hands, Nawa-e-Waqt has reported (in its October 07, 2008 edition) that Orascom has entered into final stages of its talks with Vodafone to sell out 26 percent shares of Mobilink to UK based cellular company. Paper says that there were various sessions carried out between Orascom and Vodafone, and now they have almost closed this deal. However, value of this deal is still unknown.
We had mentioned about this deal back in July that Vodafone and Orascom were nearing talks for sell out of 26 percent shares, however, Mobilink, Orascom and Vodafone officials were constantly denying this. Even now, we are unable to fetch information from anyone directly familiar with this deal.
Meanwhile, Mobilink officials have confirmed us that PMCL has requested transfer of licenses for its affiliated companies. He further said that this transfer is purely on operational and technical grounds.
“Mobilink is a brand name and hence, one cannot sell its shares. There is also no discussion on off-loading any shares of PMCL”, said Mobilink’s spokesman.
While analyzing this statement a telecom analyst commented that Mobilink is a brand as of now, and can’t be sold out, but after the license is transferred, Orascom can sell it out partially or wholly. He further commented that who is questioning PMCL’s sale out?
We are still unable to comprehend Orascom’s this move (if its in real), through which they will loose their most revenue generating unit out of many in various countries – also given that they saw a steep decline in revenues and growth in recent quarters throughout Asia Pacific and Middle East. We hope it’s not a Millicom recap…!
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Posted by: Aamir Attaa on October 7, 2008 at 1:59 PM
Mobile Phone Manufacturer, Sony Ericsson has discontinued its office in Pakistan and has decided to manage sales and distribution of its products in Pakistan from the company’s Middle East and Northern Africa regional hub office in Dubai (UAE).
A company statement that confirmed this information also said that Pakistan will continue to be an important market for Sony Ericsson and that, as part of its plan to align its operations and resources world-wide, Pakistani market will be managed from Dubai after local office was closed on September 30th, 2008.
There are many speculations about this decision that includes Sony and Ericsson internal relations, which actually lead Sony’s CEO Howard Stringer commenting that the two companies need to reform their cooperation otherwise the joint venture would fail.
This decision of closure of Pakistan’s office can be part of world over reorganization of the company that will reason many job cuts world over, including USA.
In a company statement issued lately from London, England, it admitted that “market conditions have changed very rapidly and action must be taken to ensure that it can remain competitive in the dynamic and fast-paced telecommunications industry.”
“Today the company confirms that it is beginning to implement a plan to align its operations and resources worldwide to meet an increasingly competitive business environment and to help restore its capability for profitable growth. The measures that are being taken by Sony Ericsson are aimed at becoming a faster, more agile and more cost efficient organization.”
According to Pakistani market resources, Sony Ericsson handsets were out of stock since the end of first quarter of 2008. ApnaTime recently reported that Sony Ericsson’s newly appointed distributor Teletec Mobile was not able to purchase stock on cash since its appointment. Analysis were made that this happened to avoid market risks. On other hands, local management failed in finding another distributor. However, now the chapter has been officially closed and Sony Ericsson will serve Pakistani Market from Dubai.
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Posted by: Aamir Attaa on October 5, 2008 at 5:11 PM
Interior Ministry Chief Mr. Rehman Malik has instructed cyber wing of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to trace out the originators of fictitious e-mails and SMS, sent to the people, which involved political figures of the country, especially the ruling ones.
Associated Press of Pakistan has reported that Mr. Malik is of the view that these emails and text messaged are forwarded by thousands if not millions, primarily aim at launching vilification campaign for the character assassination of the politicians and senior leaders.
The directive given by the Interior Advisor to the investigation agency will help initiate immediate action against the culprits, indulged in the smear campaign against the political leadership of the country.
These forwarded Emails / SMS messages normally contain jokes, cartoons and other elements of hilarious nature.
President Asif Ali Zardari is lately center of attraction for such activities, particularly in a recent activity someone faked his signature and reproduced president’s message that had spelling mistakes in it.
President Zardari was once again targeted in Emails after his meeting with Sarah Plain.
Consequently, there came a warning to all fun-loving Pakistanis: the cyber crime wing of the FIA has been instructed to hunt down those circulating jokes on him through emails or mobile phones.
But at same, we are not sure if FIA is capable enough to track text messages or emails. With no system available to cap and/or monitor the messages, which are forwarded and then re-forwarded to multiple mobile users, makes it almost impossible to reach the actual originator of that text message.
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Posted by: Aamir Attaa on September 29, 2008 at 3:30 AM
I have done plenty of posts regarding privacy issues related to cellular phones, and how they can be crucial if your personal information is handed over to undesired hands. Today, I am going to discuss another very sensitive issue that can add un-ending miseries to your life.
Problem
Problem is very simple, that is, if I am a postpaid customers, anyone can call my cellular company’s helpline, and can alter my billing address’ information after providing my CNIC number, home address and other basic information.
Now what will happen if my billing address is changed? Very simple, my bills will be delivered at new (and undesired) address. Hence, any one can have my call details.
In case you are getting e-statement for your postpaid bill, then scenario can get worst.
Offender can change my billing address again, after he/she has received my previous one month’s calling record. And this way, I will not even know the privacy breach that just happened.
Case Studies
Recently I met this person (I am not disclosing his identity on his request). He is a lawyer by profession and had a Mobilink postpaid number. His wife wanted to spy his phone activity. She achieved this by changing his billing address information to a new address where she had easy access.
She used to call several times a day to Mobilink helpline to figure out most inexperienced (innocent) CSR in the team, which she found one. After few days, she called again and asked for that particular CSR by name, on which she came online with her. Here, she asked this CSR (who was a lady too) to change the billing address of this postpaid number. She provided all information that was required. And her mission was achieved.
All of you can image about what would had happened next…
In another case reported to me was a person whose email (that was associated with Ufone postpaid number) got changed. And offender kept on receiving his bill via email for several months.
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