Pure Pakistani » PTA

Wateen Ranked No. 1 Wireless Broadband Company

Umer Kayani — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:28:35 +0000

Pakistan’s leading converged communications service provider, Wateen Telecom, has been ranked the number one wireless broadband service provider in the country by PTA. In a survey for quality of service for all broadband service providers, Wateen was ranked first in the overall standings for all wireless broadband operators in the country.
In pursuance of PTA’s role to safeguard of consumer interests and growth of quality broadband services, PTA carried out the second nationwide Broadband Quality of Service (QoS) Survey of all wireless and wireline service providers throughout the country. The survey was conducted during third and fourth quarter of 2011. It is worthwhile to note that QoS generally determines the standing and status of country’s telecom services; therefore, special emphasis is exerted to keep the QoS of broadband companies at a satisfactory level. PTA has devised QoS standards/Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in line with best international practices and in consultation with service providers. The post survey analysis is carried out on the basis of scores against each KPI.
Wateen Telecom, with its vision of enabling every man, woman and child in Pakistan through cutting edge technology is the leading wireless broadband service provider in the country. It is the pioneer in bringing wireless broadband technology to the country and the first in the world to roll-out a WiMAX network on a nationwide scale.

Mr. Naeem Zamindar, CEO Wateen Telecom, in a message to the employees on this occasion stated that “This award recognizes Wateen’s excellence in delivering extraordinary customer value. Our initiatives taken over the last year and at the re-launch are now delivering the required results for our customers. Not only is this a recognition of the hard work put in by our employees, but also a confirmation from our regulator that Wateen is the leader in wireless broadband services.”

Over the last year, Wateen has invested heavily in improving and expanding its network, workforce, systems and processes to ensure delivery of an outstanding customer experience in the future. The Abu Dhabi Group has continued to show great confidence in Wateen and its new management and have provided cash support of over $57 m in the last 12 months. This has helped the company in optimizing its network by deploying new sites and relocating existing ones to deliver the best quality of service for its customers.

PTA Announced Results For Broadband Quality of Service Survey 2011

Umer Kayani — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:09:57 +0000

In pursuant to safeguard consumer interests and in context of raising the quality of broadband services, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) under the direction of its Chairman, Dr Muhammad Yaseen carried out the second nationwide Braodband QoS Survey of all wireless and wireline service providers throughout the country during third and fourth quarter of 2011.

During the survey the already devised Quality of Service (QoS) Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in consultation with services providers were measured. These are Network Availability, Service Availability, Download and Upload bandwidth Speed (i.e. how much data a subscriber can receive or send to the maximum), Round-Trip Time (i.e. the time taken for the data to reach a particular destination and return), Contention Ratio (i.e. the ratio of Total bandwidth/No. of subscribers or number of subscribers per unit of bandwidth) and Retain-ability (i.e. for how much time a connection remained connected during the period of 60 minutes), etc. It is worthwhile to note that higher the bandwidth of download/upload speed and retain-ability and lower the round trip time and contention ratio, higher is the service quality is considered superior.

PTA grades aforesaid parameters into categories like A, B, C etc, based on the percentage of score obtained during the measurement. For 1Mbps broadband package of wireless broadband service providers, Wateen Telecom has been placed in Category-A at Lahore and Rawalpindi and Category-B at Karachi, Quetta and Peshawar. Similarly, Qubee and WorldCall are also in Category-A at Lahore and Category-B at Karachi and Wi-Tribe is in Category-B at Rawalpindi. Likewise, for 1Mbps broadband package of wireline broadband service providers, PTCL has been placed in Category-A at Lahore, Rawalpindi, Peshawar and Quetta and in Category-B at Karachi. The complete Broadband QoS Survey 2011 results are placed at PTA website http://www.pta.gov.pk for the awareness of general public.

Auction of a Cellular Mobile Phone License

Umer Kayani — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 06:43:03 +0000

One cellular license (defunct) in 800MHz band will be auctioned by PTA tentatively in March 2012.
The information memorandum containing interalia auction methodology and venue etc will be made available soon by PTA.

This advertisiment is being issued for advance information of potential investers.

The new Mobile license is to replace “Instaphone” which are being inactive from past many years.

PTA Gets a Bad Name for Pakistan in International Media by Banning the word ‘Jesus’

Sidrah Zaheer — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 12:40:40 +0000

If Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) were to act sane and stop degrading Pakistan’s already much distorted international image, it would not impose such regulations on words which are being put under criticism not just by the citizen groups in the country, but also in the international media. Those who are just on the look-out for any such bizarre act coming from Pakistan, they get to make the news big in a negative way and get a reason once more to say how uncivilized the whole nation still is.

If PTA is to ban words like Jesus, it should then ban words like Muhammad and Allah. PTA has not justified the reasons for banning the words that it did. One might assume that the word ‘Jesus’ was banned because some might use it in an abusive context, though Jesus (known as Isa in Islam) is considered to be an honourable prophet by all Muslims. If that could be the case, then equal measure of care should be given to other religious personalities, including that of Buddha and Guru Nanak Dev. If an abuse could be hurled toward religious figures, it could be thrown at any one.

It would really be a telecommunication mess to stop words like this. The decision is on a trial basis for now. Till the time that it would really be implemented, the mobile operating companies, who are also not pleased with such a ban, have a chance to upgrade their software for detecting any such questionable words and to choose which ones will finally make the list of banned words.

Total Investments will be $2.4 Billion by 2020 in Telecom Sector

Tanzeel Afzal — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 06:38:54 +0000

A Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) said in its study report that total investments in the country’s telecom sector will be $2.4 billion by 2020.

The study, titled Vision 2020, forecasts that revenues in the telecom sector will be over Rs620 billion in 2010. It says that the number of mobile subscribers is expected to be around 161 million, approximately 89 per cent of the total population, by 2020. The study says that the number of fixed-line subscribers will be five million in 2020 while the number of broadband subscribers is expected to be around 19.5 million.

The study says that mobile cellular technology has been primarily focused on the consumer market, acting as a substitute for often unavailable wired telephony. “Now visions of 4G and beyond, including established technologies such as WiMAX, are heralding the age of convergence.”

Illegal Gateway Exchange Unearthed in Multan

Tanzeel Afzal — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 12:16:35 +0000

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) alongwith Federal Investigation agency (FIA) has conducted a successful raid in Multan and seized three operational VoIP Gateways. According to details PTA and FIA teams through combined efforts not only traced the exact location but also carried out raid in areas of Altaf Town, Tariq Road, Multan. One person running the setup was also apprehended during the raid.

This success full raid, which was made possible because of continuous monitoring, shows the commitment and persistent efforts; PTA is putting in curbing the menace of grey traffic. The confiscated illegal setup consists of gateways, Tellulars, Switches, Routers and number of SIMs of different operators. Moreover, the campaign against illegal telephony resulted in blocking of more than 60,000 mobile SIMs alongiwth IMEIs.

It may be added that PTA with the state of the art monitoring facility is observing the international traffic coming in to the country, round the clock. The aim of monitoring is to identify the illegal gateway exchanges and track the elements operating them. Such exchanges bring huge loss to the national exchequer as well as to the telecom sector.

Chairman PTA, Dr. Mohammed Yaseen appreciated the joint efforts of PTA and FIA teams and also warned all those involved in the illegal telecom business to stop their activities, otherwise PTA shall take strict action against them as per the law.

Chairman PTA receives Best Regulatory Leadership Award

Tanzeel Afzal — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 19:37:45 +0000

In recognition of his significant contributions for the proliferation of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) in the country, Chairman Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Dr. Mohammed Yaseen has been awarded the Best Regulatory Leadership Award 2011 by Monthly “Teletimes”. The award was presented to him in “Teletimes International Industry Awards” ceremony held at a local hotel by Monthly “Teletimes”. Director ICT, PTA Mr. Amir Malik was presented an Excellence Award for individual contribution to Research in ICT.

Lately, Chairman PTA received award of excellence for ICT Development in Pakistan by NetSol Technologies. He was also recognized as Best Telecom Regulatory Leader of the Year 2010 by South Asian, Middle Eastern and North African (SAMENA) Telecommunication Council. Dr. Mohammed Yaseen with his untiring efforts has made regulatory body a model organization in the Asia Pacific Region. He has participated in the international forums and contributed in a variety of areas, such as promotion of ICT market, telecom market liberalization, legal and regulatory framework for the telecom sector.

His major achievements during the past years include introduction of consumer protection structure for telecommunication subscribers, development of multiple international communication links, provision of free Internet dialup services to the masses, establishment of 350 tele-centers as a rural telephony project, giving a special emphasize on progress and development of broadband services in the country, introduction of a unified regulatory framework for mobile banking services, launching of new systems for effective resolution of Mobile SIMs issues, arrangement of local Internet peering point between international bandwidth providers, transition of Pakistani’s ccTLD (.pk), initiatives to engage key industry players for enhancing local ICT content market and 100 million cellular mobile subscribers is another feather in the cap.

According to the LIRNEasia’s 2011 Telecom Regulatory Environment (TRE) survey Pakistan saw an increase in almost all dimensions including fixed market entry, mobile access to score resources and mobile inter connection. In 2010 PTA acclaimed with global awards as most progressive Telecom Regulator in South Asia. In 2011 Pakistan ranked top for best regulatory regime among the South Asian countries with penetration of Information & Communication (ICTs). Pakistan has maintained its top position with highest score of 3.3 percent in TRE survey followed by India having 2.9 points in 2010-11. In 2007-08, the TRE survey evaluated regulatory regime of Pakistan as best among the South Asian growing economies with 3 points followed by Philippines with 2.8 in the same year.

Illegal Gateway Exchange Unearthed in Multan

“Ghunda Tax” Telecom Companies Start Looting

Umer Kayani — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 19:43:00 +0000

Telecom companies are united to loot their customers in the name of service charges.
Yes ! This time one more tax not implemented by the government but telecom companies decided it to do so. Ufone, Mobilink and Telenor implemented the new tax “Ghunda Tax” which we will pay from now onward.

As per new Government Income Tax (Amendment) Ordinance 2011, withholding tax upon each Prepaid balance recharge and Postpay bill payment has been decreased from 11.5% to 10%. This new tax amendment is applicable from 1st July, 2011. But unfortunately this doesn’t make any difference because Ufone,Mobilink and Telenor introduces their own form of tax in the name of Maintenance/operational/admin charges. Now wait for warid and zong when they will initiate same kind of tax.

Statement on Telenor’s Website: Dear subscriber, from 4th July, an Admin Fee of 1.5% will be levied on usage for all prepaid connections (talkshawk & djuice)

Statement on Ufone’s Website: Dear Customers, To further exceed your expectations, a maintenance charge of 1.1% will be applicable on every recharge from 1st July 2011 along with government taxes.

Mobilink: Mobilink start operational fee of 1 percent.

Last year telecom companies start 5% service charges and now ” GHUNDA TAX “ is also implemented and government taxes are other than that. This is all because telecom industry are matured and customers are addicted to use cellphones and to take full advantage of changing technology, so these companies now know how to loot and increase revenue.

Helpline Call charges was also increased by these companies for better service but my personal experience is worst.They never attended my call immediately and off course we are paying for that call.

If we recharge Rs.100 card we will get Rs.50 after paying service charges, government taxes and now “GHUNDA TAX”.

New plans for more foreign investment in telecom sector

Umer Kayani — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 11:00:39 +0000

For more foreign investment in Pakistan telecom industry, a plan to start program within next two months name as mobile virtual network operator.PTA has completed the framework for that and when all stakeholders will agree upon this then the further process will take place. This plan is successfully launched in many countries and now PTA decided to do the same. In which a new Brand will be introduced in Pakistan, like a new mobile phone company but the company will use the back up system of those companies which already working in Pakistan. According to plan PTA will issue a new license for that and the license fee is five million dollars. New company can start its operation by doing agreement with any of the five mobile operators which already working in Pakistan, and license holder company purchase bulk time and then sell it on there own rates to there customers. So mobile virtual network operator use there own brand name and have there own number.

Many foreign companies include djuice, Vodafone and companies which already working are interested to get a license. Chairman PTA Dr.yaseen authenticates the plan and said this is going to happen first time in Pakistan and expecting a three billion rupees foreign investment.

Pakistan to Hit 22 Million Internet Users by 2013

Umer Kayani — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 18:29:52 +0000

It’s a modern era and the one who is not familiar with Internet is considered as Technologically Illiterate person. The number of Internet users is growing day by day and it is expected that Pakistan will have 18 to 22 Million users by year 2013 and the estimated number of broadband Internet users is around 4.3 million. Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is taking some very important steps lately and now working in collaboration with Education Institutes to make the new generation aware of Internet.

Universal Service Fund (USF) is making considerable efforts to provide Internet to rural areas of Pakistan. Though, the density of Internet is somewhere around 11 percents but still it’s a good development because in 2000, Pakistan had only 133,000 Internet users.

PTA Seized Two More Illegal VoIP Gateway Exchanges in Islamabad

Umer Kayani — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 19:48:07 +0000

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) seems to be very active these days and that’s a good thing. At least one Government department is sincere with the country. A while ago PTA and FIA National Response Center for Cyber Crimes (NR&C) seized some illegal National and International VoIP gateway exchanges in Islamabad and Karachi. Continuing the same, after investigation, PTA with the help of FIA NR&C raided on couple more illegal International VoIP gateways in F-6 and F-7 sectors of Islamabad.

Many illegal telecom equipments are being recovered during this operation, which include 4 GSM media gateways and 1x router, hundreds of GSM antennas, 4 switches, and 11×8 GSM tellulars. These illegal gateways brought a loss of millions of rupees in the last four months to the national treasury, Dr Mohammad Yaseen, Chairman PTA said.

.pk Domain Transition Completed – PKNIC New Ifrastructure, DataCenters, and Customer Department

Umer Kayani — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:30:18 +0000

Pakistan Country Code ‘PK’ domain transition has been completed. This is one of the most important events in the Internet History of Pakistan. Chairman Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Dr. Muhammad Yaseen visited PKNIC Lahore Office for this purpose. PKNIC is the current operator of Country Code Top Level Domain (CCTLD). The purpose of the visit of PTA Chairman is to analyze the recently upgraded ‘.pk’ Infrastructure, Datacenters, and Customer Service Department.

During his visit, he found that .PK domain Root Server mirroring is fully operational. PKNIC completed this task successfully and also tested it on global root servers like A.Root.Servers.Net and M.Root.Servers.Net. New authoritative mirror will enable local resolution of ‘.PK’ websites. PKNIC new mirror is M-2.PKNIC.Net.Pk (203.128.7.123). PKNIC representatives briefed PTA Chairman more about the Mirroring techniques.

Chairman PTA, himself was involved in transferring ‘.pk’ to Pakistan and he did it. This is really a good step towards Digital success in Pakistan. Though PKNIC is the operator of .com.pk and .pk domains in Pakistan but the customer service is pathetic and no online customer backend is available for customers from where they can change Domain Name Servers (DNS) themselves. They have to visit the domain reseller office for this purpose. I would request PKNIC authorities to spend some money on the website design and its functionality as well.

PTA Launches ‘SMS-based Information System’ for Educational Institutes

Umer Kayani — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 12:20:34 +0000

Islamabad, July 22, 2009: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has launched a new project for Educational Institutes which is named “SMS-Based Information System’. Usually, Educational Institutes use mail-correspondence with guardian which is obviously costly and time consuming. With the help of this system educational institutes will use a Software application provided by PTA and it will send messages to the guardians mobile numbers through Short Message Service (SMS).

The software will help the guardians to be aware of events like admission dates, result announcements, lecture hall, deadlines, school functions, meetings, etc. PTA will provide this software for free across the country to Educational Institutes. Secretary Information Technology, Naguibullah Malik handed over the software application with user guide/manual to Secretary Education, Abdur Rauf Chaudary on this event.

Pure Pakistani » PTA

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