Posted by: Aamir Attaa on June 18, 2008 at 10:00 AM
My God, what this news is saying…around 40,000 call centers were shut down in Pakistan on directions of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority. I was able to get couple of evidences of this news on “Daily Post” and “Online News Agency”
I had to double check the number of closed call centers, and also the date; but alas everything seems fine with my eyesight.
According to Online, PTA passed the directions of closing the voice ports of all call national and international centers operating in Pakistan. Agency, citing some resources said that PTA asked CWFAI, a fiber optic communication provider in Pakistan to block the voice ports of all working call centers; consequently thousands of Pakistanis will go jobless who work in these call centers.
Call centre representatives, who were effected by the decision, told that News Agency that their call centers were shut down without any prior notification, while the PTA officials negating the blame, have claimed that they had already informed them about the action through a proper notification.
The PTA officials further said that the call centers owners have not registered themselves and were conducting their business with out license; assuring that all could continue their call centers after obtaining their licenses and registration numbers.
I can recall similar thing happened almost 10 days ago, when PTA had asked TWA to close all voice ports, leaving call centers without any internet means; we know that PTCL had blocked voice ports long ago.
Covered in Daily Times by Romail Kenneth, on June 10th, 2008, claims that PTA had asked ACCO to provide the list of call centers, registered with PSEB. The scenario gets very interesting, see call centers are registered with PSEB, and PTA has been asking ACCO… in another news item published in ‘The News’, (sorry I don’t have its link) claimed that a meeting held at PTA headquarters that involved PSEB, PTA, Call centers, ISPs and PTCL representatives had resolved the issue. Then it was decided that PSEB and PTA will collectively devise a way out to register call centers; hence allowing voice traffic to only legal call centers.
But with-in a week, call centers are again shut down? PTA should have given more time to call centers, the way they are favoring cellular companies in blocking illegal SIMS. I guess there is something seriously wrong with PTA, either its PTA, PTCL, ACCO or PSEB someone is really making troubles for call centers’ industry, hence risking thousands of Jobs, Pakistan’s image and weakening economy
According to an estimate about 40,000 call centers have been shut under the current action of PTA rendering about 1 million peoples jobless through this stance.
Updates Expected in few hours….
NexExpress has just reported that this news was baseless, quoting a press release issued by PTA. According to PR, the news items published regarding the closure of 40,000 call centers do not reflect the actual situation.
According to a press release issued here Wednesday the PTA said in fact, it has never issued any directive to close call centres. The PTA has only asked backbone operators to allow voice to legitimate stakeholders i.e. LDI operators and Call Centres registered with Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), which is in line with government rules & regulations.
“As far as the figure of 40,000 call centres is concerned, it may be clarified that the total number of call centres registered with PSEB is just 516 so blocking of 40,000 call centres is out of question.”
Interesting scenario this is. Now what i drive from these news items and PTA’s press release is, that they directed to block the voice port of all those call centers which are neither registered, nor they were given time to get themselves registered. Another thing, that number of call centers in Pakistan is still not confirmed by any of authority
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Posted by: Aamir Attaa on June 17, 2008 at 10:38 PM
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has released the latest stats for cellular subscribers in the country. Also reported by Romail Kenneth of daily times, the breaking news is that Telenor has snatched the second position from Ufone, while Mobilink still at top with huge lead of almost 14 million subscribers.
Telenor was almost one million subscribers behind Ufone in January 2008; however, they significantly geared their sales in first two quarters of 2008 and grabbed 2 million new customers in only 6 months. This was not only the heights number of customers earned by any cellular company, but also it helped Telenor to sit firm at second position.
Since the year 2005 Ufone had retained its second position and was considered to be the second biggest mobile phone operator in Pakistan.
I am not sure what exactly made this to happen, I am still thinking over the decisive elements that made Telenor Pakistan to cross Ufone. My initial thought is the Heavy Advertising that Telenor has been carrying throughout the year. Otherwise, packages from both companies are going neck to neck; with Ufone even little better in services. Telenor took some brave decision during the second quarter, to directly compete with Mobilink and Zong…this gave them the positive marking hence fetching more costumers.
Subscribers’ Details (As Per May 2008)
Mobilink: 31,958,597
Telenor: 17,841,074
Ufone: 17,800,424
Warid: 15,114,678
Zong: 3,662,099
InstaPhone: 321,204 (As per April 2008)
Total Subscribers: 86,698,076
Mobile Tele-Density : 53.9 Percent
Interesting point is that, we had 85 Million subscribers in April 2008, however, in May 2008 we have managed to hit 86.69 Million mark; but what happened to those at least 5.6 million blocked SIMs? Are they still counted in these subscribers?
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Posted by: Aamir Attaa on June 17, 2008 at 1:19 PM
Pakistan’s broadband market has been slothful despite the fact that broadband services have been made available since five years. Currently there are a total of approx 131,871 Broadband subscribers, which provide dismal picture when compared with other similar economies.
Cost of service (Tariff) has been the major reason behind this slow growth. However a major development for broadband market is the introduction of DSL services by the incumbent (PTCL) itself. PTCL has started offering its DSL services since June 2007 in various cities e.g Islamabad, Peshawar, Lahore and Karachi. PTCL offered low tariffs for home users with free installation service. This has affected tariffs offered by other DSL operators as they have also lowered DSL tariffs in order to remain competitive. According to PTCL sources, since they started of DSL service, 35,000 subscribers have subscribed to their Broadband. It is believed that such competition will lower the tariff and eventually will flourish the broadband market.
Coverage / Provision of broadband services is another factor as main emphasis of broadband operators have been to cover urban areas specially large cities, leaving a major part of population leaving in small cities, towns and villages forbidden of broadband services.
One can expect that PTCL having the largest data network will soon start offering DSL services in other cities and towns. WiMax Services will play a vital role in proliferation for broadband services to rural areas of the country in near future as the figure show that since introduction of first ever WiMax service
(December 2007) in Pakistan Wateen Telecom has captured 10000 subscribers in a short span of four months.
Apart from above Literacy Rate, Computer Penetration, Broadband Investment, QoS Level, Policy execution including the issues such as (Local Content Development, Countrywide Broadband Awareness Campaign and Provision of low Interest Loans for purchase of Computers) has also affect the development of broadband in the country, however It is expected that steps taken by PTA in collaboration with Industry players will ensure better and economical broadband services in Pakistan. Latest developments like reduction in tariff, steady rise in disposable income per capita, extensive infrastructure rollouts (especially fiber), introduction of triple-play services, rural tele-center project to educate rural population, Deployment of Fiber and WiMax Networks and growing bandwidth demands from businesses will help Broadband proliferation in urban as well as rural areas. It is estimated that there will be 0.5 Million Broadband subscribers in Pakistan by 2010.
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Posted by: Aamir Attaa on June 17, 2008 at 7:28 AM
Mobile Number Portability was introduced in Pakistan on March 23rd, 2007. It’s been almost 15 months, and the fact is that I had just forgotten its existence in our country. Needless to say that I never thought of switching over to another network, despite my carrier overcharges me almost every month.
I don’t want to re-cover the whole story of MNP’s implementation here, those who are interested in knowing more about how it happened please view this detailed post by Babar Bhatti at Pakistaniat.Com.
However, I was able to recollect my memories, thanks to this advertisement (Published in all major Newspapers on June 16, 2008) that reminds (or claims) that MNP is still there and it is working. There is no need to say that cellular companies do remember their billions of investments they made to make their networks MNP compatible.
What I want to discuss here is that if the MNP has totally failed? Should we just forget it? Or subscribers should still keep this option with them for future, maybe after 2/3 years to better select their cellular company without changing their current cell numbers.
Obviously, none of the operator was willing to implement MNP, that’s obvious; as porting out operator is the one who initiates the process (documentation etc). Hence, for instance, Warid Telecom will not heartedly welcome any of its subscribers to move away. While eying the trends and history, we should not expect any co-operation from operators in this regards. I have heard many stories, from friends and others, who just wanted to taste MNP; but gave up due to the process that involves repetitive problems caused by porting out operator (their current operator)
Another element that restricts or does not encourage subscribers to switch their network is the growing competition amongst the cellular companies; who are made to revise or introduce new packages at least once month if not twice. We have so many examples for this; let’s look at this Mobilink’s Jazz One Package which was defeated by Telenor’s A One in only 24 hours. So, customers don’t really opt for MNP when it comes to pricing; or even if the pricing is not that favorable to them, they consider waiting for a week or couple to get a better deal.
Frankly, I don’t see any good point to utilize MNP’s offer; stats actually back me, as I remember Maj. Gen. (R) Shahzada Alam Malik, Chairman, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, once stated that he expects around 1.5 to 2 percent of cellular subscribers to use MNP. However, I don’t see any such thing happening till now.
Well, in my opinion, MNP was just an addition to portfolio of Pakistan Telecom Sector that we may (or may not) use in coming 3/4 years.
For those who think that this is the time to switch to another network; find below the procedure for getting benefited of Mobile Number Portability.
- Certain requirements need to be met before MNP can be requested for a phone account; such as: proof of ownership, no conflict due to existing agreement, number should have been in service for at least 60 days etc.
- Fill out a form and present it to the provider to which you wish to port - called Recipient Network.
- Pay the porting fee (varies by company, up to a few hundred rupees).
- A Number Portability Request (NPR) is launched by the Recipient Network and you are given a SIM and a tentative time (at least 4 days - but could be up to 21 days) to when you can start to use new mobile provider network on this SIM.
Those who want more ins and outs of this process may find this document quite helpful to them.
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Posted by: Aamir Attaa on June 17, 2008 at 1:11 AM
I know Umair Naeem through his posts at NetExpress, and infact i am one of his fan due to his command on the topic for which he writes.
Just went through one of his latest art, that covers Pakistan Telecom Market in a very a effective manner… For those who want to have an insight of the market, must go through this article…. an excerpt is given below
Pakistan is a highly competitive market because consumers are not bound by long-term contracts to cellular service companies. Rather, the consumer simply needs an ID card photocopy to set up a connection, or switch to another provider. The consumer has the option of a post-paid monthly billing connection, which is preferred in the professional segment, or the popular-among-the-masses pre-paid connection, through which the consumer can recharge the connection whenever and by any amount. To add to the consumer’s benefit, mobile phone portability is also available, which allows one to retain the same phone number regardless of changes in cellular service.
Read the full article here
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Posted by: Aamir Attaa on June 13, 2008 at 12:37 PM
It seems that Government of Pakistan has tried to cover their deficits from telecom sector, by applying new taxes on many telecom services. Some opine that it was a good move in current economic scenario to regain the momentum by benefiting from Telecom sector that is main contributor of Foreign Direct Investment and GST/CED since 2003/04.
Excise on telecom services were raised to 21%, which was previously 15 percent. That means now your 1 Rupee call is going to cost you Rs. 1.21 (previously it was Rs. 1.15). When I called my carrier’s helpline, they were unable to comment on this increment.
Additionally, as per News ticker on Geo TV, a new tax has been applied on all cellular subscribers, named as “Spectrum Access Fee”, under which Rs. 5 per cellular customer will be collected, valuing in total of almost Rs. 3.5 billion. We know very little about this tax, and the mechanism that will be used for the collection of this tax.
Handset market is another hit by budget 2008-09. The Nation has reported that mobile phone retailers and distributors have already started selling handsets at increased prices by charging extra PKR 500 to PKR 700 on each handset. Below is the excerpt given from the paper’s website.
The dealers are charging extra amount on the sets on which they had not paid any duty thus minting millions just after one simple announcement in the budget. Bulk importers had predicted that the imposition of duty would encourage smuggling.
Dealers have pulled out of the market huge number of mobile sets a week ago after it was speculated that the government was to impose duty on the mobile sets in the federal budget. They withdrew from the market a huge bulk of sets in order to mint money if the speculation proved true.
“Imposition of Rs 500/set import duty on mobile phones would affect the formal trade of mobile phones in the country, which was flourishing amid rising demand from domestic consumers. We believe, Rs 500/set is not significant for expensive sets, however the levy would dampen the demand for low-priced sets below Rs 4,000,” analysts said.
“Customs duty on import of mobile phones is unlikely to slow down subscriber growth given a large secondary market offering used and stolen mobile phones at low prices,” they added.
On other hands, Business Recorder has reported that Ministry of Information Technology proposed zero customs tariff rates, in the 2008-09 budget to help IT industry expand, making e-governance efficient and cost-effective.
We should expect some detailed budget bulletin in coming days.
Khaleej Times covered National Budget here
Ajj News was able to extract some facts about Budget here
M. Junaid Khan Discusses some ins and outs of Budget here, PTA has collection of some data about Telecom’s contribution towards National Economy here
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Posted by: Aamir Attaa on June 2, 2008 at 4:18 AM
Increasing number of immature Mobile phone users in the country, ratio of unwanted calls has increased enormously. Due to technical and financial reasons, maybe, it’s not possible for cellular companies, to block unwanted calls or to allow only wanted calls.
To tackle this issue Mobile phone manufacturers are trying hard to get this issue resolved by introducing a feature through which uses will be able to block any un-wanted numbers. ‘Daily Times’, citing an official of a telecom company has reported that PTA has urged all cellular companies to introduce such a feature through which one can block those unwanted calls. However, cellular companies simply denied due to inability.
In parallel, ‘Trend Mobiles’ a UK based mobile phone manufacturer, who has been distributing handsets in Pakistan, claims that their Device named as T-103 is capable of blocking those calls that you don’t want to answer.
Trend, and all other mobile phone manufactures are using software based solutions to block such obnoxious calls. Nokia, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, and others allow you to block/filter any selected set of numbers added in a group.
To Block a group in Nokia Handsets follow below steps
- Go into Profiles
- Click on General Profile
- Select Customize
- Go into ‘Alert for’
- Leave any one group unselected, and select all other Groups and save profile
- Now add any number in that particular group, which you had unselected
- Calls from this number will be ignored, and your handset will not ring
Another simple fun way to block unwanted calls is to use ‘Not Responding’ mobiTunes/Utunes. However, it must be noted that cellular companies do not offer such “App ka matlooba number iss waqt band hay” type of tunes, as these tunes may cause them heavy losses.
Howver, Ufone offers customized Utunes, called DIY (Do it Yourself). Record the not responding message by record feature of your phone-> then Customize your Utune by uploading that recorded message here
So now, everyone will get a “App ka milaya howa number iss waqt band hay” message, when they will call you. On other side, you will get a ring; so pick it up or ignore it : - )
I have not tried it, but I hope it may work.
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority says that you can register complain against anyone who has been disrupting you. Call on your help line (111, 333, 345, 321 etc); give them the number who has been calling you without any reason. After investigation, cellular company will warn him/her once, and on second complain they will block that number.
I have heard couple that cellular companies have blocked various numbers on users’ complains. So try complaining someone if he/she is really disturbing you.
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Posted by: Aamir Attaa on June 1, 2008 at 8:27 PM
Today, PTCL has offered its customers with two blessings, one is, free local call (only fixed line to fixed line) from 11:00 PM to 6:00 AM and other is Free Dialup internet for its broadband customers.. Previously PTCL had also offered free late night calls, which didn’t go for long. PTCL, as an SMP, offers all packages as limited time offer but it seems this time the late night package will prolong for a good time.
‘The Post’, citing Dr. Sadik Al-Jadir, SEVP (Commercial), has reported that this offer of seven free hours is to add value to company consumers. This long awaited free local call package would be appreciated amongst the masses.
On other hands, an advert in ‘Daily Express’ and in other print media, revealed that PTCL is going to offer Free, round the clock, dialup internet facility for its PTCL broad band customers.
The question is, “Why a broadband user will go for dialup internet? Even if it’s free… Many may disagree with me, but this offer is not going to give a good impression. Many ISPs, for instance, Micronet Broadband Limited offers its customers with free dial-up as backup, but advertising th
is free dialup feature through a quarter page advertisement didn’t make any sense to me. Thing that came in my mind, straight away, was that this free dialup internet is maybe due to ordinary quality of PTCL Broadband internet. I saw a news item in ‘The News’ published lately, that reported the rapid disconnections of PTCL Broadband users. Maybe, it is just an additional treat that could save some of their customers.
Another point that I focus is that PTCL is Significant Market Player (SMP), which is not supposed to offer packages without Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s approval. PTA has defined here the Regulations for revising the tariffs for LL, LDI and WLL operators.
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