Issue Only One SIM per One CNIC: Rahman Malik: ProPakistani

Issue Only One SIM per One CNIC: Rahman Malik
Mobilink Reports Positive Growth in 2010
Infosys of Pakistan to Work with TATA of India
Now Pay Your PTCL Bills at Ufone Outlets
Zong Sets Popular Trends In Cellular Sector
PTA Approves Mobilink’s RIO’s To Operators

Issue Only One SIM per One CNIC: Rahman Malik

Posted: 19 Apr 2011 08:57 PM PDT

Issue Only One SIM per One CNIC: Rahman Malik is a post from: ProPakistani

Rahman Malik 07173 Issue Only One SIM per One CNIC: Rahman Malik Few days ago Mr. Rehman Malik, Federal Minister for Interior, emphasized the blockade of un-verified SIMs and and handsets carrying same IMEIs. We took it as another but usual political statement and went on.

However, in a latest development, things have gone serious. We are told that Mr. Malik has met the high-ups of all cellular companies yesterday.

Reportedly, Chairman PTA, Provincial Home Secretaries, Federal Secretary Interior, Chief Commissioner and IGP Islamabad and representatives of intelligence agencies and FIA were also present in the meeting.

Here's the crux of Mr. Malik's desires:

Issue one SIM card against one CNIC (and block all other SIMs)

All prepaid Sims should be verified with in 30 days.

SMS with IMEI numbers need to be synchronized with the help of service provider and NADRA.Service provider will send the detail of tempered numbers through SMS to the consumer.

The Minister asked the entire service provider to identify all those consumers holding the sets with duplicate/multiple IMEI against one SIM within 10 days and inform the consumer accordingly.

All the cellular companies are to advise their contract customers to re-verify their IDs/SIMs again

No body will be able to import mobile phone without authorization of PTA.PTA will issues license of importing phones after doing due diligence.

PTA will issue standards/specifications of cellular phone to be imported.

The importers have to submit specifications, IMEI number of cellular phones and sets to PTA before getting import license. FBR has been advised not clear any consignment without PTA authorization.

Clearly, these are not a realistic demands, especially the one SIM per one CNIC issue. One this is sure that cellular companies are not happy about it. In fact they don't want to implement it at all, which makes sense, as Mr. Malik's this strange desire has surfaced when cellular companies have over 100 million customers.

Cellular companies do understand the national security concerns, but they said such regulations were to be made 10 years ago – and not now.

Cellular companies straight away have shown their reservations and proposed a meeting where the experts and technical personnel from interior ministry and telecom companies should be invited to discuss on the alternative to this issue.

If this order is put into practice large number of subscribers (as high as 40-45 million) may go away. Chances are, that cellular companies may reach out to court in case if it happens!

Who is responsible for this:

No doubt that the issue of un-verified SIMs is a dilemma that has engulfed Pakistani cellular industry for years now. It should get resolved – but not by the procedures Mr. Malik has proposed.

Before victimizing the cellular companies and asking them to block millions of their customers, Mr. Malik should have thought for a second that why the situation has reached this far. Minister should have looked into PTA and Government of Pakistan's role for not introducing a systematic, flawless and clean mechanism for registering SIMs in the first place (and that too before the industry's boom).

If all or any of above rules were put in place in early 2000 or say in year 2003, situation could be lot different than what we have now.

At that time, our former chairman PTA and the cellular companies remained counting the SIM numbers and didn't think for a second about the outcome of selling millions of SIMs without ID cards or verification.

But again, it's the regulator and the government who need to keep an eye on cellular companies. This is what we call lack of vision…

What Next:

We have seen plentiful of such orders and regulations that promised the total elimination of un-verified SIMs. However, none of them was solid enough to resolve the issue.

Analysts are expecting these fresh orders to diminish as well under the heavy influence of billions of dollars that these cellular companies make for themselves and the government.

The only solution:

I have spoken to countless industry experts, and those who are going to directly get impacted with these new orders, here is the only solution that can work for complete elimination of un-verified SIMs from the country:

- Fresh Registrations:

Yes, re-register each and every subscriber in the country. Give cellular companies and subscribers a deadline (say one year or 18 months) to re-register their SIMs – and then block all un-registered SIMs after the deadline. Government should fund the re-registration process, or at least subsidize it to compensate its part of mistake.

This way, at the time of deadline, we will have working and registered SIMs in hands, while all other subscriptions will churn out, for good.

But again, this will require a lot of money and heart to begin with. But more important is that what Rahman Malik has in mind for coming days!

Mobilink Reports Positive Growth in 2010

Posted: 19 Apr 2011 06:50 AM PDT

Mobilink Reports Positive Growth in 2010 is a post from: ProPakistani

Mobilink posted 8.7 percent year on year growth for revenues in 2010, where its revenues stood at Rs. 94.3 billion in 12 months of 2010 up from Rs. 86.8 billion during the same period previous year.

Mobilink in fourth quarter generated a total of Rs. 23.9 billion as compared to Rs. 22.5 billion, showing a 6.4 percent QoQ growth.

In its yearly financial report, Orascom reported that Mobilink managed to uplift its ARPU by 1.2 percent from Rs. 231 (a quarter ago) to Rs. 244.6 in forth quarter 2010.

According to the Full Year Earnings Release, the company's EBITDA showed improvement with 17.8% YoY growth in local currency terms from PKR 31.7 billion in 2009 to PKR 37.3 billion in 2010. EBITDA margin improved from 36.5% in 2009 to 39.6% in 2010.

Statement said that Mobilink had 31,749,292 customers on December 31st, 2010.

Rashid Khan, President and CEO, Mobilink while commenting over the results said:

2010 has been a tough year for Pakistan. At Mobilink, our customers remained our focus. It is really their continued trust and love that has translated into positive results for us year on year.

Whether it was through launching innovative products and bundles or segmented propositions, offering unmatched reward programs, investing in our network for even better quality providing the best customer care or reaching out to the community through our flood relief efforts, Mobilink maintained an aggressive position that reaffirms our core philosophy of reshaping lives.

On other hands, Orascom (as a group) reported a fourth-quarter net loss, saying that its its Algerian unit declined in 2010 due to restrictions imposed by the government.

The net loss for the quarter ended Dec. 31 was $178.8 million, compared with net income of $939.2 million in the third quarter, said Orascom Telecom

Group posted full-year net income of $743.1 million, attributable to equity holders of the parent.

Orascom Telecom's Djezzy unit posted a 6.5 percent decline in revenue to $1.75 billion from $1.88 billion in 2009. Orascom Telecom's total revenue increased 2 percent to $3.83 billion last year.

Infosys of Pakistan to Work with TATA of India

Posted: 19 Apr 2011 01:37 AM PDT

Infosys of Pakistan to Work with TATA of India is a post from: ProPakistani

TATA group of India and Infosys Technologies of Pakistan have agreed to work together on several project under a joint venture in Saudi Arabia, reported Pakistan Today.

Citing Humayun Bashir, IBM's GM in Pakistan, paper claims that at least 12 officials are flying Saudi Arabia in this regard to setup initial infrastructure and work with Indian software development giant.

According to Mr. Bashir, another Pakistani IT company has already started selling its products in India, which is a good sign of collaboration between both countries in this sector.

Following is the excerpt of Mr. Bashir's interview with Pakistan Today:

India has a huge IT industry in comparison to Pakistan's meager $2.4 billion industry. India could look up at Pakistani IT Professionals and companies who have performed remarkably in this sector.

India could use our manpower as we are stronger in software development, he said, adding that products of Netsol, a Pakistani IT company, are being lauded in the world.

Via Pakistan Today

Now Pay Your PTCL Bills at Ufone Outlets

Posted: 19 Apr 2011 01:22 AM PDT

Now Pay Your PTCL Bills at Ufone Outlets is a post from: ProPakistani

Now you can pay your PTCL landline bills with Ufone.

Visit any Ufone franchise and UShop and get your bills paid without any hassle. Earlier this service was available at Ufone Service Centres only. Now all Ufone outlets, including Ufone franchise and UShops will be collecting PTCL bills.

Other than Ufone Service Centers and Franchises, following are few other options where you may pay your PTCL (and other utility bills):

Posted: 19 Apr 2011 01:02 AM PDT

Zong has set unique and popular trends in Pakistan by offering innovative and first-up products and services in the industry. It has boosted the the pace of cellular sector by offering very catchy service rates, free minutes offers, bundle SMS packages and value-added offers.

Since start of its services three years back in Pakistan, Zong has reportedly bagged 9 million customers in commercial, urban, deserted and mountainous cities. (There are un-official reports that Zong has crosses 10 million subscribers' mark)

The cellular operator is strengthening its position by further expanding its network in nook and corner of the country with handsome foreign direct investment and latest technology.

Following is a roundup of Zong's popular services:

Zong LBC Packages

Zong emerged as a trend-setter with its unique offer of Location Based Charging (LBC) in Pakistan. It started its offer first in Lahore and then in Karachi, Faisalabad, with ultimately covering more than 100 cities.

These LBC packages such as Lahore Unlimited and Karachi Unlimited – went successful and got wide popularity among the subscribers as players like Mobilink and Ufone also followed it and introduced their LBC packages to retain their share in the stiff competitive market.

Zong MNP Offers

The operator intensified war in the cellular sector and grabbed its share not only through its normal packages but with MNP too. It has played a key role in the industry to promote MNP service by its advertisement and became successful by acquiring huge number of customers from others' networks.

Other operators followed the same suit later on and came up free minutes and SMS with supporting advertisement to attract customers of rival networks through MNP facility.

Mobile Internet

Zong is a pioneer in introducing internet mobile services on daily and hourly subscriptions. This trend was copied as all operators have now designed and offered their daily internet packages.

Mobile Handsets

Previously mobile handsets were being sold by mobile operators but Zong adopted this approach of offering low-end handsets with low cost bundled with free minutes and SMS on yearly basis.

Besides, Zong's branded Android Ideos were first to hit Pakistan, which were primarily aimed at low-mid end customers.

Zong Daily Subscription Offers

Zong has emerged as a popular brand with its unique bundle offers. It started daily subscription of its call package and SMS bundle two and half years ago which were later followed by different operators in the industry.

Zong Call Unique Rates

The call rates were different and facilitating for customers, as Zong left no stone unturned to provide packages that a customer actually needs to use in her or his daily life.

The Z20, which was introduced on the occasion of T20 World Cup, was one of its kinds. Similarly, 100 pay 100 offer was proved to be a matchless package offered by any operators so far. This package was widely availed by customers in the limited time period.

It also offered, 12 Anay, 45 paisa per half min, 65 paisas per half min, Family Package and etc. and remained unbeaten in cellular sector on its unique call rates offer.

Zong Special Number

Zong presented special number offers for new customers keeping in mind their choice and desire of exclusivity. Subscriber got numbers on their Names, Important Dates Shorts Phrases and Zodiac Sign.

M9: What is your plan?

M9, a brand of Zong was introduced in December 2010. It offers most unique package plan for the customers with the liberty to have their choice for number.

The idea to attract huge customers through numbers is a tremendous technique that Zong has really focused on. It fast introduced special number offer, then MNP and by M9, where customers got their lucky number with the advice of numerologist.

PTA Approves Mobilink’s RIO’s To Operators

Posted: 18 Apr 2011 09:33 PM PDT

PTA Approves Mobilink's RIO's To Operators is a post from: ProPakistani

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has approved Reference Interconnection Offer (RIO) of Mobilink for facilitating different operators, seeking initiation of telecommunication services with its collaboration in its stronghold region having significant network infrastructure and subscribers.

Mobilink (Pakistan Mobile Communication Limited), which is considered as Significant Market Operator (SMP) is obliged to provide service to operators to minimize wasteful and uneconomic duplication of network facilities; the existence of fair competition among operators and users of one operator should be ensured on different networks' users.

Mostly SMP is requested by operators for Call Termination and Short Message Conveyance services. Besides Mobilink, Pakistan Telecommunication Limited (PTCL) and Special Communication Organization (SCO) as SMP operators have granted access to different operators for interconnection services in different telecom region.

PMCL is required, pursuant to Rule 13 of the Pakistan Telecommunication Rules, 2000, to enter into an interconnection agreement within ninety (90) days from the request of another operator.

Interconnection means the physical and logical linking of telecommunication networks used by the same or different operators in order to allow the users of one network to communicate with the users of other networks.

Interconnection services refer telecommunication services for the purpose of conveyance of intelligence between two connectable systems including any ancillary services which an operator has requested from another operator after entering into an agreement, PTA Interconnection Guidelines mentioned.

The services and facilities shall be provided on the basis of unbundled network element and be charged accordingly. That is, a requested operator shall only pay to SMP operator for the network components or facilitates that it requires.

The SMP operator shall not unfairly discriminate the terms and condition of interconnecting and provide the same quality of services it ensures to its customers, PTA Guidelines stated.

Mobilink has been allowed to provide interconnection services to interested operators as per agreement approved by the authority.

Accordingly Mobilink and requested operator will sign agreement on the approved modus operandi for services access, formula of charges, schedule of payment, quality of services, co-location and numbering formula, limitation of liability, intellectual property rights and etc.

The operator shall pay to PMCL charges for the services within the time frame specified, calculated in accordance with and/or as specified and amended from time to time.

For the avoidance of doubt, charges shall be payable by the operator to PMCL for any Calls or Short Messages terminating on the PMCL Network which are handed over from the Points of Interconnection, irrespective of the numbering series exchanged in terms of this Interconnection Agreement, it is stated in RIO agreement draft.

Each Party (Incumbent and Requested operator) is responsible for the safe operation of its network and shall take all necessary steps to ensure network with practicable measures.

The Parties shall manage their networks to minimise disruption to the services and they shall restore the services in the event of interruption or failure, it is stated in RIO agreement draft.

The Parties shall convey telephone numbers to each other in the national and international formats as contained in the Numbering Plan issued by the PTA.

Neither Party shall use or permit the use of any service, or install, connect, link or use (or permit the installation, connection, linking or use of) any telecommunications equipment in contravention of any law.

The Parties shall enter into an agreement to modify or replace the Interconnection agreement in accordance with any order, direction, determination or consent of the PTA, unless such order, direction, determination or consent is subject to a legal challenge.

Full copy of the agreement can be downloaded here.