Posted by: Aamir Attaa on October 27, 2008 at 2:42 AM
We had covered this Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) market review few months ago, however, changes take place in days now. As the energy crisis continue in Pakistan, in fact it has gone worse, people are again rushing towards UPS markets to get themselves electricity backups.
Thanks to winter, general people may not require UPS units as they did in hot summer, but businesses, students, and those who want to remain in tact with their electrical devices are in crucial situation due to unannounced and long run power failures.
Okay, I am covering only UPS market review, hopefully I will bring forward Generators’ market review as well in coming days, but lets focus on options and prices for UPS units in this article.
We saw two very significant things, one that UPS market is undergoing tremendous rush, and same is the case with prices. By the way, these prices went down in month of Ramadan (as there were no power outages then), but once again UPS businesses have gone high.
We noted that average cost of a Rs. 10,000 UPS has increased by almost 30 percent when compared to prices in May-June 2008. Retailers say this increment is due to the fact that manufacturers have increased prices of raw material on pretext of higher production cost due to higher imports of accessories.
A survey of retailers unveiled that UPS with a capacity of running two fans and two lights is hot item, and its sale has gone as high as 30 percent. It merits mentioning that this is least powered UPS available in the market, and is mostly used by small to mid sized shopkeepers and home users.
It merits mentioning here that there are two types of UPS available, imported ones and locally assembled. Retailers said that buyers prefer locally made UPS units for two reasons. 1 – They are inexpensive, 2 – Imported UPS units come with no warranty, hence more risk for buyers.
As the demand is increasing, there are more people getting involved in making of these local made UPS units. This retailer named, Hafiz Imran confirmed that there are tens of UPS manufacturing plants working in Rawalpindi. By the way, Daily Time lately reported that there are around 45 manufacturing units of UPS are working in the different parts of the Karachi only as cottage industry. The wholesalers have doubled their orders in order to meet the growing demand.
It was also reported that there comes lots bugs and after sale complains due to ordinary quality and unqualified technicians who make these UPS units in lesser time.
With UPS units, there come batteries, which are used with UPS units to keep your electrical devices alive – and scenario is not different of batteries as well, as prices have gone high here too.
So this is what the market has been undergoing, now check out these tips that you must consider before buying a UPS
Things to consider for Buying a UPS
- Try to put minimum load on UPS, that is don’t try to put all electrical devices on your UPS, instead make sure that only power critical devices are on UPS
- Once you have decided what items you will be running on UPS, calculate their power load. For this, don’t rely on UPS shops, instead ask for electrician in your colony and let him calculate the power load that you will be running on UPS. For instance, a computer with 17 inch monitor is likely to require 400 to 450 watts. Similarly, calculate your entire load and make sure what power do you require from this UPS.
- Go into main electrical markets of your city, instead of your corner electrical shop. Check around in couple of shops for the rates for the power your need. Let’s assume you need a UPS of 1000 Watts, then ask around what quotes you get.
- Please note that there are NO OFFICIAL RATES, so you will have to do little research to save you couple of thousand Rupees
- Please make sure that battery is nothing to do with your UPS. Your batteries will be responsible for backup time. So if you purchase a low ampere battery, it will give you lesser time and vice versa.
- Once your UPS is ready, make sure that it is giving output of exactly what you had asked for. For this purpose you can keep along your cousin or friend who knows a little about electrical meters, ask retailer (shopkeeper) to verify that this UPS is giving out proper voltages.
- If you are planning to use computer with this UPS, make sure that UPS unit supports it. For this direct the shopkeeper to make it computer complaint. (They make little configuration changes in your UPS, which prevents your Computer rebooting when electricity goes down.
Prices for UPS Units with Built in Dry Batteries
These UPS units come with built in Dry Batteries, and stabilizers. Means you get a once pack solution and simply take it home. But make sure that back-up duration for Buil in Dry Batteries’ UPS units is between 10 to 15 minutes only - Meaning that these are mainly for computers and for just saving your files and allowing you enough time to shut down your computer. (In case you need more backup time, then check for below given UPS prices that come without Batteries – and you can add up batteries to get more back up time)
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Posted by: Aamir Attaa on October 22, 2008 at 2:08 PM
Mobilink Infinity has commercially launched its WiMAX operations today (October 22, 2008), starting with Karachi. Its website is LIVE and says that they are offering services in Karachi only. covering only one city is not what Orascom is famous for. I am personally not convinced with their launch in only Karachi.
Tariff:
Mobilink revised their tariff from what they offered initially at soft launch. Major difference is that now download is capped at 5 GB a month or 15 GB a month (Previously it was unlimited). Also rates are taken little higher than of previous ones.
Soft Launch special rates were
256 kbps Unlimited: Rs. 799
512 kbps Unlimited: Rs. 999
1024 kbps Unlimited: Rs. 1199
(Thanks to Saad Ibrahim and Mudassar Ijaz for pointing out these rates)
Monthly rates seems good, but there is somethng very annoying at the bottom, the upfront payment of Rs. 10,000 which is too much i guess for home users (Security deposit of Rs. 2,000 is refundable though). From market feedback Mobilink Infinity has decided to cut short the upfront payment. Now its only Rs. 6.000.
When compared with Wateen, Monthly rental are good but Voice and Data packages are mandatory as of Wateen - Meaning that you must subscribe to voice as well as data package with Mobilink Infinity. It is like thrusting voice package, as not many will be interested in Voice (as per estimations).
Apart from pricing, services, response time, customer support, reliability and network uptime are other features that would come under consideration in the long run.
Want to Subscribe to Mobilink Infinity?
Updates to come in coming days regaring service feedback
For Service review during Soft Launch: Click Here
For Mobilink Infinity Network history: Click here
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Posted by: Aamir Attaa on October 22, 2008 at 12:52 PM
The Mobile Phone subscribers’ base in Pakistan has crossed 90 million mark as 640,624 subscribers were added in September 2008 at the monthly growth rate of 0.7 percent, which is slightly better than of August 2008.
Latest stats made public by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority for the month of September 2008, concludes that total number of subscribers in the country have reached 90.2 million mark, despite10.5 million blocked unregistered numbers - while mobile density now stands at 55.9 percent.
Following graph shows net addition/subtraction in customers for each cellular company.
Mobilink’s subscriber base continued its decline and fell to 31.35 million, resulting in a fall in market share to 34.8 percent. In contrast, Zong once again scored top position by adding 289,418 customers. Warid and Ufone remained very closed and added 213,219 and 209,891 customers respectively. Telenor added 156,268 customers in month of September 2008.
Mobilink continues to occupy the top slot with a market share of 34.8 percent, followed by Ufone (20.8 percent), Telenor (20.5 percent), Warid (17.9 percent) and Zong (5.6 percent).
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Posted by: Aamir Attaa on October 19, 2008 at 12:03 PM
Here comes yet another tax for cellular users, this time we don’t need to worry about, as this tax is not for telecom services, instead the usage of telecom service will be taken as a measuring tool for someone’s income and those will be taxed whose monthly bill exceeds Rs. 100,000 per year or Rs. 8,333 per month. This decision was taken by Federal Board of Revenue to bring mobile phone users into the tax-net under the new plan to broaden the tax-base in 2008-2009.
Business Recorder has confirmed that FBR had issued instructions to the Director General of Large Taxpayer Units (LTUs) and Regional Tax Offices (RTOs) to obtain record of mobile phone users whose annual bills exceed Rs 100,000 and bring them under the tax net.
Along with cellular users, FBR has plans to include frequent air travelers, luxury car holders, large industries and others segments too.
FBR’s this move is not going to harm general users, instead the plan is to attack those elite segment who have not disclosed their assets or income, and are not paying taxes while they are excessively using resources in the country.
In case a person is paying more than Rs. 8,333 per month for his cell phone, then he must be having some revenues to pay tax. In case his company is paying for his phone bills, then his employer has to justify this and has to show the mobile phone expenses.
FBR can issue letters to the cellular phone users with over Rs 100,000 to demand National Tax Numbers (NTNs) or ask the non-filers of income tax returns to file return, if required. On the basis of NTN, the department could check/verify the income of mobile phone user for subsequent filing of return.
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Posted by: Aamir Attaa on October 19, 2008 at 11:48 AM
Pakistan’s fastest friend, China has announced to launch a telecommunication satellite, named PakSat-1R, for Pakistan in year 2011. The satellite’s chief contractor China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC) has lately reported that a Long March 3B rocket will be used to put the satellite into orbit. It will launch from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in the south western Sichuan province.
According to Business Recorder the satellite company will manage ground control facilities for the satellite to be delivered to the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission after it enters orbit. CGWIC and its sub-contractors are responsible for the design, manufacturing, final assembly, testing and launch of the satellite.
Paksat-1R will have a life span of 15 years. Pakistan will use it for domestic telecommunication and broadcast services. Contracts for the satellite deal were inked during President Asif Ali Zardari’s recent visit to China.
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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: 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 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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