PTCL to Offer 50 Mbps Internet Speed: ProPakistani

PTCL to Offer 50 Mbps Internet Speed
Pakistan to Celebrate Sab Keh Do Day
Dell Launches Connected Classrooms Solution
PTA May Penalize PTCL if Quality of Service isn’t Enhanced
Ufone Now Officially Supports Twitter SMS
NetSol Signs Multimillion-Dollar Contract With TCS
Want a Job These Days?
Global Telecom Market And Pakistan’s Share

Posted: 07 Apr 2011 04:30 AM PDT

PTCL to Offer 50 Mbps Internet Speed is a post from: ProPakistani

PTCL is working on a project, after which, it will be able offer broadband internet of 50 Mpbs, said a statement issued by the company.

An industry first, Pakistan's PTCL will be using VDSL2 Bonding technology to provide existing digital subscriber line (DSL) customers with speeds up to 50 Mbps.

The project leverages Alcatel-Lucent's VDSL2 Bonding expertise and should be completed by the end of the second quarter of 2011.

VDSL2 Bonding takes two copper-based VDSL2 lines per subscriber and aggregates them – almost doubling the bandwidths available to existing customers, or expanding high-speed broadband access to areas that are underserved today. Using VDSL2 Bonding, service providers can extend the life of their existing copper infrastructure – supporting the delivery of bandwidth-intensive services such as triple-play voice, data and IPTV.

According to a recent study from market research firm IHS iSuppli, simultaneous access to applications such as peer-to-peer file sharing, online gaming, streaming audio, VoIP and IPTV will soon require bandwidths between 50 and 100Mbps. This fits exactly with VDSL2's capabilities, especially when combined with innovations such as Bonding and Vectoring.

Commenting on this achievement President and CEO PTCL Walid Irshaid has stated

"PTCL is the first service provider worldwide to deploy a commercial VDSL2 Bonding solution that aims at doubling the bandwidths provided to its existing customers. We are thus setting the trend in international telecoms, and are taking the broadband experience in Pakistan to the next level.

Alcatel-Lucent's VDSL2 Bonding technology and comprehensive services and network integration expertise is helping us to keep pace with the increasing bandwidth requirements of our customers, while capitalizing on the existing copper infrastructure. This will enable us to quickly deliver high-quality, high-speed and high-availability business and residential services – even in areas where it was not possible before."

Alcatel-Lucent is providing PTCL with its Intelligent Services Access Manager (ISAM) IP access platform – which is the first platform to commercially support VDSL2 Bonding. Alcatel-Lucent will also supply Bonding-ready customer premises equipment (CPE). Alcatel-Lucent serves as the project's master network integrator, and is providing a range of professional services – including project management, installation and commissioning, integration and technical support.

"We understand that service providers need the right tools to bridge the gap until fiber deployments have become ubiquitous. VDSL2 Bonding is an ideal approach: service providers like PTCL can almost double the speeds supported by their DSL infrastructure or expand their network's reach. This makes it a fast and cost-effective approach to bridging the digital divide," said Aadil Rauf CEO Alcatel-Lucent Pakistan Ltd.

"This commercial VDSL2 Bonding project with PTCL marks the beginning of VDSL2 Bonding deployments outside of the US – where the technology is typically used to expand the reach of the copper network."

Alcatel-Lucent is the driving force behind the world’s most advanced VDSL2 roll-outs, with customers such as Belgacom, STC, Swisscom and Telekom Austria. Our VDSL2 solution has also been deployed by competitive operators, including M-net (Germany) and South Yorkshire Digital Region (UK).

Pakistan to Celebrate Sab Keh Do Day

Posted: 07 Apr 2011 04:25 AM PDT

Pakistan to Celebrate Sab Keh Do Day is a post from: ProPakistani

"Sab Keh Do" day to promote the importance of communication will be celebrated for the third consecutive year on April 17, 2011.

This year's theme is to motivate those who have worked hard against all odds and difficulties, by expressing encouraging thoughts for them.

"Sub Keh Do" day is dedicated to create awareness about the significance of self-expression. In the spirit of recent world cup, this year's "Sub Keh Do" day will focus on sending positive messages to Pakistan's cricket team. "Sab Keh Do" day endorses the idea of building a stronger society by strengthening relationships.

Therefore, people will be encouraged to give inspirational messages for the members of Pakistan's cricket team, who brought the whole nation together and evoked patriotic feelings in them.

Like previous years, an exclusive song for "Sub Keh Do" day will be aired on various channels.

Music maestro Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has recorded the song in his voice this year. Previously Shafqat Amanat Ali and Ali Hamza had lent their voices for "Sub Keh Do" day's songs. These unique and catchy numbers became instant hits. In a survey conducted last year, many people described these songs as soothing and inspiring.

Ather Ul Islam, student of MBA at a local university, stated that he was quite impressed with the lyrics of all "Sub Keh Do" songs and is convinced that the latest one will also come up to everybody's expectations. He added that "Sub Keh Do" day is a unique concept and is contributing to the overall wellbeing of our society by fortifying relationships.

The core objective of celebrating "Sub Keh Do" day is to uphold the importance of expressing oneself. Communication – verbal, written or gestured is an integral instinct of all living things. A lot of personal, professional and social disasters can be averted by maintaining clear, appropriate and unambiguous communication. "Sub Keh Do" day persuades everyone to speak their heart out in a respectful manner, which eventually contributes towards promoting peace, love and understanding in society.

Dell Launches Connected Classrooms Solution

Posted: 07 Apr 2011 04:21 AM PDT

Dell Launches Connected Classrooms Solution is a post from: ProPakistani

By Combining technology, products, services & software, the Dell has launched the Connected Classroom solution in Pakistan, said a company statement.

The idea behind Connected Classroom is to equip students with necessary tools to gain access to latest technology, information and the knowledge of their respective domains.

Through this program, Dell will enable technology access for primary and middle schools for the enhancement of learning environment.

The key components of the Dell's Connected Classroom solution include:

the Latitude 2120 netbook designed for students,
the Latitude XT tablet for teachers,
interactive whiteboards,
classroom management software and video conferencing for interactive learning,
professional services for ease of design, deployment and support.

Growing up in the digital Age, our kids have the chance for better access to technology and information than any previous generation.

They have the entire world at their fingertips; a world they can interact with remotely, not just in words, but in moving pictures and sounds. Educators today must prepare this 'Connected Generation' with 21st century skills to work in an ever-changing digital world.

Today's education experts have a clear vision on how technology can transform learning. The Dell Connected Classroom solution is a realistic blueprint for educators to attain that vision," said Ms. Rani Burchmore, Head Education Solutions, Dell.

By integrating technology into the learning process, educators can give students the means to learn at their own pace, interact with each other, and provide them with a window to the world of knowledge in and beyond the classroom.

Educators can use technology to accommodate multiple learning styles, individualize lessons to fit specific needs of each student, and regularly assess student progress. Dell education solutions also give administrators the powerful tools they need to prepare educators for 21st century teaching, involve parents and the community in the education transformation, and to successfully integrate technology into every aspect of the learning environment.

Parents can also access tools that enable communication with teachers, frequent monitor student performance, and get involved in class projects. And technologists can do more with less, deliver the right technology at the right time, and manage infrastructure and day-to-day support more efficiently.

We are listening to educationalists, strategy makers, and IT leaders who tell us that an entire erudition ecosystem is needed in which students, teachers, and parents are connected to each other, to share information, and eventually, to the shared knowledge of the world.

Dell focal points on the desires of all stakeholders in the erudition ecosystem and designs nonstop technology solutions that facilitate make the erudition ecosystem a reality.

With the launch of the Connected Classroom, we bring a realistic blueprint that not only comprises IT infrastructure and the software and services that support it, but also rich content, specialized learning, and anytime, wherever access to a prosperity of information." added Shahzad Khan, Country Manager, Dell AfPak

PTA May Penalize PTCL if Quality of Service isn’t Enhanced

Posted: 07 Apr 2011 01:52 AM PDT

PTA May Penalize PTCL if Quality of Service isn’t Enhanced is a post from: ProPakistani

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has given PTCL a time duration of 6 months to improve quality of service to avoid strict legal action of the authority as per the law.

This penalty would be resultant of PTA's show cause notice to PTCL on February 4th, 2010.

Background:

PTA's February 4th, 2010th show cause notice was issued to PTCL based on the results of a nationwide quality of service survey. Results were as following:

PTCL Survery PTA May Penalize PTCL if Quality of Service isnt Enhanced

PTA termed these results below the benchmark defined by the authority and issued a show cause notice to PTCL.

In response to which, PTCL responded multiple times to entertain PTA's queries, but apparently authority wasn't convinced and it passed an order against PTCL to enhance its services or to face the action.

Confusion in Determination:

In a PTA order, published on PTA's website, two members of the authority ordered 6 months as notice period for PTCL to enhance its services, while the PTA chief contracted both the members and said that 29 days are enough for the PTCL to improve service quality.

Members PTA Ordered:

The Authority has considered the submissions of the licensee and took a lenient view for this time and decided to dispose of the show cause notice dated 4th February, 2010 in the following terms:

- Since the licensee has failed to satisfy the Authority on the aforementioned contraventions made by it regarding mandatory level and standards of Quality of Service, however, keeping in view the difficulties being faced by it and the progress made so far on this account after the issuance of show cause notice, the licensee is, therefore, directed to remedy the aforementioned contraventions by bringing and maintaining the required standards of quality of service within six (06) months of the issuance of this order.

In case of failure strict legal action will be initiated against the licensee under the provisions of the Act, the rules/regulations and the license conditions.

While on other hands Chairman PTA said:

Since, the Authority is unanimously not satisfied with the reply of the licensee and has reached to the conclusion that the licensee has failed to provide the QoS to its customers as per the standards laid down in license and the regulations on the subject, therefore, I disagree with the enforcement order passed by both the members for granting six month time for remedying the contraventions.

I am of the view that the enforcement order should be passed according to the rules and regulations.

According to rule 9(4) of Pakistan Telecommunication Rules, 2000 if the Authority is not satisfied, it can grant time to the licensee for remedying the contravention which shall be less than thirty days from the date of service of the enforcement order.

In the instant case the time period should be less than thirty days. Secondly, grant of six months period to the licensee will create discrimination in the circumstances that the Authority has already passed orders against five mobile operators on the issue of poor QoS and required them to remedy the contravention within twenty nine days.

You can download PTA’s Determination by clicking this link (PDF File – 208 KB)

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Ufone Now Officially Supports Twitter SMS

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 11:17 PM PDT

Ufone Now Officially Supports Twitter SMS is a post from: ProPakistani

Ufone SMS Ufone Now Officially Supports Twitter SMS

After Mobilink and Zong, now you can enjoy Twitter's SMS services on Ufone too.

How to Activate Twitter SMS Service for Ufone:

Go to this link: http://twitter.com/devices
Select –> Pakistan –> Ufone
Enter your cell number and then follow the instructions on next page

Charges:

Ufone is charging Rs. 1 plus tax for each update, for now at least.

Few Twitter commands

Do more than Tweet! Send these commands to Twitter:

FOLLOW username: Start following a user
UNFOLLOW username: Stop following a user
ON/OFF’: Turn all Tweet notifications on or off
ON/OFF username: Set Tweet notifications for a user on or off (you’ll still be following them even if you set it to off)
GET username: Shows you the latest tweet from any user
RT username: Retweet a user’s latest tweet
FAV username: Favorite a user’s latest tweet
D username your-message: Send a direct message to a user

NetSol Signs Multimillion-Dollar Contract With TCS

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 10:34 PM PDT

NetSol Signs Multimillion-Dollar Contract With TCS is a post from: ProPakistani

NetSol Technologies has announced that it has signed a three-year, multimillion-dollar contract with TCS Private Ltd., Pakistan’s leading express and logistics provider, to develop a customized operations management IT solution.

The new solution will serve as the IT backbone for several of TCS’ core business divisions in Pakistan.

Under the terms of the contract, while NetSol will retain the global rights to market the logistics solution outside of Pakistan, both partners may later engage in a global joint venture leveraging NetSol’s technological expertise and TCS’ logistical domain and business process reengineering expertise.

NetSol will also remain the preferred technology partner for any new IT projects or functionalities initiated by TCS during the contract period.

A total of 20 domestic and international IT companies bid on the project. TCS chose three top contenders during the first stage of the selection process and ultimately decided to engage NetSol.

Operating over 3,500 locations worldwide, TCS (http://www.tcscouriers.com) handles approximately 100 million shipments per year for 6,600 corporate clients and thousands of retail customers.

Within Pakistan, TCS operates from over 1,800 locations and 422 state-of-the-art retail outlets utilizing dedicated chartered aircraft, including Boeing 727 and 737 airliners, as well as 225 satellite-tracked vehicles and 3,000 bicycle couriers.

Want a Job These Days?

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 10:28 PM PDT

Want a Job These Days? is a post from: ProPakistani

job hu1 Want a Job These Days? I remember a veteran telecom engineer who worked for Ufone, LCC and NSN in Pakistan (and now working abroad) once shared that in his times, when telecom industry was learning the ABCs of telecom, anyone with GSM on his CV could get a call for interview.

The same friend boldly and rightfully suggested "become mavericks of at least one programming language. keep it under your belt at all times."

Will you agree if I say the paradigm is still same? It is foolish to say no because paradigm will always remain same; only the label shall change.

Here in our country where we majorly hire engineers to simply operate a system, these keywords have become a big hit. But now someone with GSM on his/her CV, or even UMTS/LTE for that matter, might not get the honor to walk in a glamorous office and sit in front of someone who wears a suite and speaks fancy languages. The reason is, those keywords have ceased to work efficiently; they have been exhausted and exploited over the years.

Following an interesting discussion on an online group moderated by Pakistani engineers, I was glad to find good and visionary advisors there who fell in accordance with what actually is happening. If you want a one line shot: become a software expert.

Even if you think you were born to engineer telecom networks, need of time is to be a multiplayer. It does not require immense corroboration to learn basics of software engineering principles; everything is available on the web now and is easily accessible.

Start from databases: Oracle, My SQL. Do some tutorials.
Come to logic development: Brush your fourth semester skills of Turbo C, C++ and Objective C.
Head towards application development: Go through anyone of the following; Java, .net, Android and iPhone development platform Xcode.
Small kiss to web development: Check out PHP, Adobe Dreamweaver.

These skills wont let you sit idle and will keep you going on at more than one job at a time. When i advise this to my mates and juniors they revert back saying "but we have studied telecom engineering for four years!" Sure they have; this skill set will uplift them while being in a telecom firm as well. I have seen numerous examples where the best programmer is promoted to a team lead position. Reasons are obvious.

Global Telecom Market And Pakistan’s Share

Posted: 06 Apr 2011 10:20 PM PDT

Global Telecom Market And Pakistan’s Share is a post from: ProPakistani

A research conducted by Informa Telecoms & Media pinpoints the fact that mobile data revenues are rising exponentially. Although voice would continue to contribute a lion's share in the overall revenue but data-rich applications can certainly be the game changer.

Global mobile data revenues in 2010 were $253 billion, and are expected to reach a podium of $453 billion this year!

In Pakistan, operators are battling on voice by decreasing per minute charges; introducing location based charging; launching time dependent voice charges. SMS is another revenue generator but that too has lost all pricing floors.

The concept of Significant Market Player (SMP) seems to diminish somewhere in the unimplemented abyss.

According to the stats published by PTA in November 2010, total telecom revenues are shown below:

clip image0021 Global Telecom Market And Pakistans Share

According this these stats, Pakistani telecom companies generated Rs. 357,712 million, or US 4.208 billion dollars in year 2009-10.

Given the prodigious population Pakistan is characterized with, this total does not amount to even a handsome fraction of global revenues. We are sixth most populated country; our share should have been far greater than what it is now.

Thanks to the cut-throat competition and ever low tariffs which have become the marquee of our market.

The research predicted global revenues to cross the trillion mark soon and to reach a staggering figure of $1.14 trillion in 2013.

It's in the hands of our policy makers to contribute a major share to it and thus attract foreign investment. The users should be taught to pay for data services.

Blog of Asad Mirjat

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