Posted by: Bites85 on September 17, 2008 at 10:52 PM
Let’s welcome Bites85, yes Bites85 is going to be our fellow writer at ProPakistani.com. Bites85 is a Tech Addict from Islamabad, Pakistan. Following article has been contributed by him…! We hope to see more from him in coming days!
Google Inc., is the largest online company and the most successful ever. I personally like Google and its services a lot. Google is better than Yahoo, MSN and others in many ways, and they have proved themselves over the years that they are best. Main attribute of Google is its innovative yet free services like Gmail, Ad sense, Google Search,Google Earth and many more. Millions of people use Google services daily and are contented with the outcome.
A very important factor for Google’s success is its localization, and the ease it provides for people all over the world and for all religions. Google on every occasion changes its logo with beautiful and colorful fun doing logos to match the occasion. Whether its holiday season, Christmas, Olympics,independence day or any other occasion.
Google Pakistan is the Pakistani version which is also provided in Urdu. Google says that its peoples’ company, but one can easily doubt that. Let me show you some official Google Logo’s.
Chinese new year 2008 logo
First Hot Air Balloon 2008 logo
Florence Nightingale Google UK Logo 2008
Google Christmas Logo
Google Holiday Logo
Halloween 2007 Logo
Mark Chagall Birthday 2008 logo
Mothers Day 2008 Logo
Roald Dahl Birthday 2007 Logo
St. George day 2008 Logo
St. Patrick’s day 2007 logo
Thanksgiving 2007 logo
All these logo’s are certainly beautiful - but one thing is missing. Every year Google celebrates these occasions with a dedicated logo. But Google never celebrated Happy Ramadan to the Muslim community around the world. There are more than one billion Muslim’s around the world. But Google never showed its affection towards Muslim’s. If Christmas, St. Patrick’s day, St.George day and other days are so much important than i think Google should also celebrate Happy Ramadan or Eids etc. Many Muslim’s also work for Google.
But Google not a single year celebrated it. Ramadan is the most holiest month for the Muslims and same is the case with Eid. But Google never ever made a dedicated logo. It could have shown it on first on Ramadan. Also if Happy Ramadan logo was not possible, Google could have made a Happy Eid
logo. But never ever made it. Google could also have made a Ramadan and Eid logo for only the Muslim countries like just for the Google Pakistan.
So can it be said that Google is bias? Well i certainly think it is, that otherwise Google could have made a logo to celebrate for the Muslims. And i am hoping that we may see a Happy Eid Logo this coming Eid…!
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Posted by: Aamir Attaa on September 15, 2008 at 12:01 PM
Only couple of years ago, bearing a post paid connection was considered a high profile element, and as a status symbol. Then people used to judge others’ status by the type of connection one had. It was then a highly praised element, and deservingly so, as post-paid costumers used to get lot of attention and care from telecom operators; in terms of services and the advantages as well.
Post paid customers, who are no doubt very small in numbers, easily share the optimum part of revenues generated per head ratio (what we say it, Average Revenue per User, ARPU) for telecom companies.
World over, it is observed that post-paid costumers get least paying packages, mainly depending on the amount of monthly rent they pay to operators. These attractive post paid tariffs not only surround the voice traffic, but the data traffic is also offered at inexpensive rates.
However, the scenario, in a gradual form, started transforming and now the situation is entirely opposite to what we had few years back. Today, offerings are very limited with least benefits for post paid users when compared to pre-paid ones.
PTA notes here the tariffs for pre-paid cellular packages as of April 8, 2008 and here the post paid packages as of May 7, 2008.
We can not develop an equation to directly compare the both type of packages for all cellular companies, due to line rent and other constraints, but if we summarize the difference in a tabular form, the picture looks like below for Mobilink packages.
Mobilink Post Paid (As of May 9, 2008)
*Rs. 1.25/minute is charged in addition to airtime charges for calls to other mobile networks, and Rs. 0.52/minute will be charged in addition to airtime charges for calls to fixed lines
Note: all prices are exclusive of 15 % CED
Remarks: Seems, you pay your line rent for your free minutes…other than that, air time seems good, but off net calls are simply expensive, take this Freedom Plan 3, with 400 line rent, you will have to pay 2.50 for your off net calls, 15% CED will make Rs. 2.88 for your off-net calls. Freedom unlimited packages are maybe only used at PCOs or for top executives, (pardon, I had to relate two entirely different classes under one package) so lets forget them
Mobilink Pre Paid (as of May 9, 2008)
*Rs. 5 per hour, on all on-net calls made after 11:00 PM and before 7:00AM
**Different Rates at different Times
Note: all prices are exclusive of 15 % CED
Remarks: Healthy, useful packages…with ladies first, the lovers’ package, other wise, jazz budget impressed me. And if you are SMS buddy, then select Jazz Octane.
Special Note: You can get Unlimited SMS for 1 month for Rs. 100 or 500 SMS for Rs. 50, or 100 SMS for Rs. 15 as well ; - )
Comparison
Ok this comparison says it all, do I need to comment anything further?
I will put the comparison for other companies too, and believe me, they look even worse for post paid users than of this Mobilink.
I own a Ufone post-paid connection for last 3 years, and I am so much jealous of pre-paid folks, the way they are getting treats is incredible. It is to be noted that pre-paid packages keep on changing every 3rd if not 2nd month. Or they keep on getting bundle offer every month. What’s there for the pos-paid ones??? All of you, who have post-paid customers, will second my voice, that we are over-charged as well. It has happened so many times with me at least, and others those I know.
Khalid Omer has opined his experience in TGP
Post paid customers are getting gypped, if I could change over to a pre-paid package without losing my number I would. There really are no incentives at all for post-paid users. The main theory is that since they will switch less, you can charge more. Which is true… but on the flip side post-paid users generally have a very consistent billing pattern which any company would like to have.
Mobilink for example gives zero incentive (I would say negative incentive) to their corporate customers (unless you’re the size of a bank or something) - so if some other company like Telenor came up with a incentive to switch over the entire company, than a lot of ppl would take them up on it.
So should we quit with our post-paid numbers now? Only option left I guess, as cellular companies seems enjoying themselves with pre-paid flood.
Note: I had written this post on May 9th, 2008. Just though of re-sharing it
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Posted by: Aamir Attaa on September 14, 2008 at 7:43 AM
Many of us are crazy to have Golden or Platinum mobile number; these easy to remember phone numbers are also marked as status symbol amongst the masses. Or you may want to have same number for your spouse but with different code…! But tell you something, after reading this post, it is not going to be a tough job for you to get Ufone Golden Number and that too with 0333 code.
Okay, the process is very simple… check out Ufone franchises in your area, because those guys are the right contacts to get such Golden Numbers. Not all franchises may help you in getting Ufone Golden Numbers, but specific ones may come up with good solution. For example, in Rawalpindi, Ufone’s franchise located at Kalma Chowk, Bakra Mandi offer you Ufone’s Golden Numbers.
Now, if you are thinking that you gonna get these numbers in Rs. 150, then you are absolutely wrong…! Obviously you need to pay more for such Cathy numbers. Infact Ufone has categorized these numbers in 3 ways, 1- Silver 2 – Golden 3 – Platinum
Prices are as following
- Ufone Silver Number = Rs. 1000
- Ufone Golden Number = Rs. 2500
- Ufone Platinum Number = Rs. 7500
How numbers are categorized,
There is no hard and fast rule, but apparently, if you get a number with triple digit in it then is going to be a Silver Number,
Such as 0333-5433355 is possibly a silver number
0333-5499994 has a tetra digit; hence it is a Golden number and will cost you Rs. 2500.
0333-5988888 is a platinum number, as it has penta digit, and such a number is going to cost you Rs. 7500
Note: as I mentioned, there is no hard and fast rule for the prices, so you can expect 033354334455 as a Golden Number too… Also note that I have randomly mentioned these numbers, so please take these numbers just as examples. Also you may expect numbers with 0333 code more expensive than of a number with 0332 or 0331 code.
It is suggested to find a reference at these franchises, as a good friend can greatly help you find a very good number. Actually what they do to get you such a Golden Number is that they search numbers in Online Records available to them. For example, they will put 0333-5423333 into system and will see if this number is registered to anyone or not. If not, then they will offer you this number for hefty price.
Also note that these numbers are offered in only postpaid packages. Means if you will have to pay Rs. 1000 (atleast) for security deposit.
For an example, total Price for a Golden Number would become
Golden Number Price: Rs. 2000
Security Deposit: Rs. 1000 (This security deposit depends on package, but this is lowest limit)
Activation Tax: Rs. 200
Total Price: Rs. 3,700
So, enjoy, and let me know if you get any success with this story : - )
To Get Golden Numbers and For added help Call Mr. Farrukh Saeed Chohan at 0333-342 3332
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Posted by: Aamir Attaa on September 12, 2008 at 10:14 AM
In current telecom scenario of Pakistan, innocent subscribers are feeling tremendous pressure and harassment with growing fraudulent activities using cellular communication. It is of common practice that an SMS message that contains information about lucky draw award is received by innocent subscribers who unconsciously reply to such message and losses his balance in return. Besides that some obnoxious calls from a deceiver invites subscriber to come to particular location for award of prize money which ends up in loss of hard earned money of those innocent subscribers.
In the past Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has taken several measures to cap Spam, Unsolicited and Obnoxious Calls and text messages. Until now authority had tried to aware telecom subscribers to report such activities to PTA’s complain resolution number or helpline of respective cellular companies, in order to take action against such callers/spammers.
Lately, PTA has been trying to block unwanted calls on cellular phones in a more organized manner. For the purpose authority gave a tender advertisement in papers, asking solution providers for installation of SPAM filtering devices.
PTA website has revealed about a meeting that was attended by PTA officials and representatives of cellular service providers, in order to identify the critical issues relating to spam, unsolicited and obnoxious calls. In the meeting unsolved spamming problems were discussed that are increasing due to mobile generated fraudulent activities.
Currently Mobilink is offering a service that allows its subscribers to filter SMS (Text Messages), while Ufone is also offering Ufone call block service.
PTA thinks that this is not enough, and there should be an industry standard in order to block such unwanted calls and text messages. For the purpose, PTA also held a meeting with Tekelec (that provided SMS filtering services to Mobilink) to discuss possible solutions for the problem.
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, after a deep look into the matter may direct all cellular companies to install such equipment that will filter all unwanted calls for cellular users.
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Posted by: Aamir Attaa on September 10, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Yes, I was too shocked when read this report by Ibrar Mustafa in Daily Jang. Report claims that Pakistan has 63 Million cellular users instead of 90 million claimed by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, and there are merely 37 Million Active Mobile users.
Ibrar Mustafa’s findings are based on a survey that was conducted by a private company in collaboration with PTA. Survey report is also supported by the fact that cellular companies were able to present data of 65 million customers to NADRA for verification till July 2008.
Most crucial statement in Jang’s report was that “PTA has approved this survey” meaning they are verifying that there are 63 million mobile phone customers in Pakistan. Report says that Dr. Yasin has been referring this particular survey report in various functions and gatherings.
Cellular Users at different points of time (as per survey)
2000-01 = 0.7 Million
2003-04 = 5 Million
2004-05 = 12.8 Million
2005-06 = 35.5 Million
2008-09 = 63 Million
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Posted by: Aamir Attaa on September 8, 2008 at 6:49 PM
Federal Board of Revenue has directed the member Direct Taxes to start recovery of income tax from Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, which values Rs. 9 billion in amount, in response to what FBR had communicated PTA to pay their taxes by August 27, 2008, failing which besides imposition of penalty of u/s 183 additional taxes would also be charged at 12 percent per annum, furthermore FBR believed that tax amount will be recovered by adopting all recovery measures as warranted by Income Tax Law.
It was told by a high level official at FBR that PTA is not paying its taxes for last 10 years, and that the tax amount has reached Rs. 9 billion during this time period. The case has been re-opened after it was settled last year when PTA had paid Rs. 1 billion as an installment, but afterwards telecom authority is using delaying tactics to avoid paying taxes, added FBR sources.
When contacted FBR official, who is responsible to tackle PTA’s case, told us that telecom authority is claiming exception which is not due at all; FBR official further said that exemption from tax is not available to government authorities as it was withdrawn by virtue of overriding provision of section 54 of Income Tax Ordinance 2001.
FBR Officer further told that PTA has been delaying this payment for more than 10 years now. “Limit is limit; we can’t send them notices anymore. FBR may direct Telecom companies to submit their license fee directly to FBR if PTA will keep on delaying this tax amount”, concluded FBR official.
When contacted a PTA official, he refused to comment any thing on the issue, as he believed that the matter is both in High Court and Appellate Tribunals, and must not be commented until it is not decided.
Financial analysts suggest that PTA must give this tax, as all other government authorities are paying their taxes to FBR. The amount has to reach our national treasury… Either PTA pays it directly or it goes through FBR, then why not to follow the rule…?
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Posted by: Aamir Attaa on September 7, 2008 at 10:50 AM
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has decided to take conclusive measures against PTCL, in case they fail to resolve “Pakistan Package” issue with the authority and other LDI/LL companies in the country.
High level industry sources have revealed that PTA has decided to take severe and conclusive measures against PTCL that has not withdrawn Pakistan Package, despite repetitive directives from the authority.
Sources said that PTCL’s Pakistan Package had raised serious concerns for LDI/LL operators of the country, who have requested Pakistan Telecommunication Authority to play its role in detaining PTCL from continuing its free nation wide calling package, as it is causing them serious losses to their businesses. In response to which authority has directed PTCL to have meeting with LDI/LL operators to get their consent on Pakistan Package within 10 days, other wise authority will have to take decision to hold up the continuity of Pakistan Package.
On an additional note, PTCL launched other packages such as “Phone N Net” and “International Plus Packages” without the approval of the PTA, told a source. On which PTA has warned landline giant to not to repeat this practice again. It maybe recalled that all telecom operators, especially Significant Market Players (SMP) must inform the authority prior to launch of any package.
It merits mentioning here that PTA had directed PTCL to quit Pakistan Package by August 31, 2008, but those directions were put on deaf ears by PTCL administration. Telecom analysts are unable to comprehend PTA’s defensive mode against PTCL, which has been repetitively violating PTA’s directives and apparently PTCL is bluntly ruling the Telecom Sector of Pakistan without any regulations.
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Posted by: Aamir Attaa on September 4, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Yes, you will have to believe this, as reported by Daily Times. Infact i read this news yesterday, but was unable to counter check it from PTA’s website… (By the way PTA’s website is still down due to some scripting issues).
We hope this is not a typo or mis-communication, as this has happened before with Zong. By the way, i am unable to digest this news; as Zong was Launched in April 2008, and how come they made 1 million customers per month??? Can some one please confirm this news?
Anyway, let me paste the excerpt from Daily Times for you to know more about Zong’s 5 Million Story
KARACHI: China Mobile’s first international brand, ZONG has touched 5 million subscribers after receiving unprecedented response to its innovative products and services. According to data released by the telecom industry regulator, the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA), ZONG has achieved a phenomenal 35 percent market share during the period April to July 2008. Salman Wassay, director marketing ZONG said, “It is because ZONG is the only cellular operator that is offering what the public needs, rather than promoting products and packages that serve the company more than they serve the users”. staff report
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