Pakistan Telecom and IT updates

[ghazi52]

System launched to control mobile theft, smuggling

KARACHI: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has formally launched the Device Identification, Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS) in collaboration with 3G Technologies, a system meant to block smuggled and stolen handsets in the country.

The move comes as the government looks to curb tax evasion as well as mobile theft.

The DIRBS will enable users to pair their device with the Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC), which would then become the phone’s identity. Through the system, the PTA would maintain a database of all mobile phones in the country.

 

[ghazi52]

STORM FIBRE LAUNCHES ITS FIFTH INTERNET SERVICES IN PESHAWAR.

 

[ghazi52]

 

[ghazi52]

Pakistan’s 4G broadband speed faster than India’s

The Universal Service Fund, which collects funds from all cell phone service providers in an attempt to expand telecom infrastructure, has disbursed grants worth Rs 50 billion for projects in different telecom regions. PHOTO: REUTERS

FAISALABAD / KARACHI: Despite the challenges Pakistan faces in promoting information technology and bringing more and more people online, international internet speed gauging platform Ookla has said that Pakistan’s 4G mobile broadband is faster than its neighbour India’s.

Pakistan is ranked 96th in the world in download speed on mobile broadband based on the June Speed-test Global Index, with average speed of 14.03 megabits per second (Mbps). It is better than that in India which stands at 109th place with average speed of 9.12 Mbps, according to speedtest.net of Ookla – a global leader in fixed broadband and mobile network testing applications, data and analysis.

According to the website, the global average of mobile internet download speed is estimated at 23.54 Mbps.

Indian operators are focusing on spreading 4G outreach than injecting more speed into the already present 4G service, according to OpenSignal that specialises in wireless coverage mapping.

Smartphone usage is on the rise in India with 358 million mobile internet users and more users are coming online, resulting in slower mobile internet speeds, says a report in the Indian publication The Economic Times.

Because of the vast area, India has higher latency which is one of the reasons consumers are receiving slower internet.

Latency is the duration taken by a data packet to move between the user’s device and internet server. The higher the latency, the slower the user’s internet experience.

Pakistan’s 3G/4G subscribers stand at 56 million with 75% teledensity, meaning 25% population has not yet been covered, particularly in Balochistan. In this province, 46% of population has no access to either mobile, wireless or fixed line network.

The Universal Service Fund (USF), which collects funds from all cellphone service providers in an attempt to expand telecom infrastructure, has disbursed grants worth Rs50 billion to mobile operators for projects in different telecom regions.

Its five out of six fibre optic projects are for Balochistan which is likely to get better facilities in future.

However, in fixed internet, India is better than Pakistan as it is ranked 62nd with average internet speed of 23.27 Mbps while Pakistan stands at 122nd place with internet speed of 7.55 Mbps.

Pakistan also lags behind India in the Inclusive Internet Index of the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) mainly due to unavailability of content in local languages.

 

[ghazi52]

61m broadband users in Pakistan

September 30, 2018

ISLAMABAD: The number of broadband subscribers in Pakistan had reached 61 million by the end of August 2018, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) confirmed.

The telecom industry has seen a dramatic increase in mobile broadband over the past five years, as subscribers reached 58.56 million by the end of August 2018 with a teledensity of 28.02. On the other hand, basic telephony subscribers reached three million with 1.30 per cent teledensity.

The number of mobile phone users in Pakistan reached 151.09 million by the end of August compared to 150.55 million by the end of July, an increase of 0.54 million during the period under review.

Jazz’s total count for 3G users stood at 15.045 million by end August compared to 15.038 million by end of July, registering an increase of 0.007 million. Jazz 4G user numbers jumped from 4,601,586 by the end of July to 5,077,651 by the end of August.


Zong 3G subscribers decreased from 9.228 million by the end of July to 9.034 million by the end of August, while a number of 4G users jumping from 7,761,412 in July to 8,131,792 in August.

The number of 3G users of Telenor decreased from 10.314 million by the end of July to 10.210 million by the end of August. The number of 4G users jumped from 3,315,326 by the end of July 2018 to 3,590,494 in August.

Ufone added 0.412 million 3G users on its network during the month of August. The total number of 3G subscribers has now reached 7.474 million compared to 7.060 million by the end of July 2018.

Teledensity for cellular mobile increased to 72.97 per cent when compared to 72.83 per cent in June 2018. The number of broadband subscribers reached 60,756,678 by the end of August, as compared to 59,549,253 by the end of July.

PTA has received 3,477 complaints of telecom consumers against different telecom operators, including cellular operators, PTCL, LDIs, WLL operators and ISPs as of August 2018.

According to PTA’s data, PTCL led the chart with 1,157 complaints while Jazz (Mobilink + Warid) stood at the second position as the most complained-against telecom operator with 779 complaints.

PTA claimed that it was able to get 3,465 complaints resolved i.e. 99.65 per cent. Cellular mobile subscribers constitute a major part of the overall telecom subscriber base; therefore, the maximum number of complaints belong to this segment. The total number of complaints against cellular mobile operators (CMOs) by August 2018 stood at 2,220.

In terms of the segregation of complaints on operator basis, a total of 779 complaints were received against Jazz which is 35.09 percent of the total CMO-related complaints. Telenor, which has the second largest number of consumers, was second with 502 i.e. 22.61 per cent of complaints were received against it.

Zong stood third with 499 complaints i.e. 22.47 per cent of total complaints, while Ufone had 440 complaints against its various services which make up 19.81 per cent of the total CMO-related complaints.

 

[Netherdrake]

Need RCS in Pakistan.

 

[ghazi52]

USF contracts cellular operator for broadband access to Ex FATA

February 07, 2019

The contract worth Rs258m has been awarded to Jazz.

ISLAMABAD: The Universal Service Fund (USF) awarded a contract worth Rs 258 million to a private cellular operator for deploying broadband services in North Waziristan tribal district.

The contract was awarded to Jazz, which will also take mobile broadband access to the people in Bannu and Lakki Marwat.

Out of the Rs258m, the government subsidy amounts to Rs 198 mn.

The contract was signed by Universal Service Fund chief executive officer Rizwan Mustafa Mir and Jazz chief corporate and enterprise officer Ali Naseer.

The contract has been awarded by the USF under its ‘Broadband for Sustainable Development Programme’.

Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui — who was invited as the chief guest to the ceremony — said that the Ministry of IT and Telecom had achieved yet another significant connectivity milestone.

Rs258m work involves official subsidy of Rs198m

He added that with such projects, the IT ministry through the USF would continue to work towards achieving the mission of broadband penetration across the country to facilitate the people in rural areas. He said that in addition to broadband infrastructure, he expected the USF to launch new e-services and m-services to facilitate digital lifestyle adoption for the people of Pakistan.

Under the ministry, the USF has been mandated to spread broadband connectivity to far-flung settlements still without basic internet connections and facilities.

Speaking on the occasion, USF CEO Rizwan Mir said that with the signing of the North Waziristan contract, the organisation’s aim was to provide voice and data services to remote and underserved areas of Pakistan where it was most critical for development.

He added that this network would be completed in 24 months for providing 3G/4G and voice services to a population of 0.57 million in 401 unserved mouzas.

The official said that with the improvement of law and order situation in the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata), provision of advanced ICT infrastructure would be a key to the development efforts in the region.

He said that the USF enjoyed support of the MoITT as well as the ICT industry in the common mission to continuously work towards expanding broadband to all Pakistanis. He pointed out that the USF was planning to launch several new broadband projects over the next few months, including the one in South Waziristan.

While addressing the audience, Jazz chief corporate and enterprise officer Ali Naseer said: “Through this collaboration, Jazz and USF have successfully bridged the digital divide in the country’s remotest region.

“This is why the project has special significance for us and in due time residents of 401 administrative mouzas will have access to the country’s fastest mobile broadband connectivity. We are looking forward to assisting these people in unlocking their potential in an increasingly interconnected world.”

The participants of the signing ceremony were informed about the USF-Jazz partnership that would also open up new progressive opportunities for local communities such as e-commerce.

Digital and e-services are a rapidly evolving field and can provide better health, education, agriculture and business opportunities to the people in these areas. In order to execute this project, 28 towers will be installed by Jazz in a year.

 

[jupiter2007]

I have not heard anything from IT ministry. Any progress?

 

[Syed1.]

I have not heard anything from IT ministry. Any progress?

Poor decision to give IT ministry to MQM. Before elections PTI came up with such a wonderful Digital policy that I thought after elections there will be an IT revolution. Most people thought IT ministry would go to Ali Zaidi who is/was a big IT entrepreneur and knows how to run an IT business, instead they gave it to 60+ year old oldie from MQM who probably does not even know how to operate a computer. The beauty of parliamentary democracy

 

[jupiter2007]

Poor decision to give IT ministry to MQM. Before elections PTI came up with such a wonderful Digital policy that I thought after elections there will be an IT revolution. Most people thought IT ministry would go to Ali Zaidi who is/was a big IT entrepreneur and knows how to run an IT business, instead they gave it to 60+ year old oldie from MQM who probably does not even know how to operate a computer. The beauty of parliamentary democracy

This system is dieing and corrupt mafia is trying to survive.

 

[ghazi52]

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa IT Board (KPITB) is inviting investors for Pakistan’s first Digital City, to be based out of Haripur, on the outskirts of capital’s Margalla Hills. The plans of Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa establishing Pakistan Digital City were announced in October .

 

[Samlee]

Poor decision to give IT ministry to MQM. Before elections PTI came up with such a wonderful Digital policy that I thought after elections there will be an IT revolution. Most people thought IT ministry would go to Ali Zaidi who is/was a big IT entrepreneur and knows how to run an IT business, instead they gave it to 60+ year old oldie from MQM who probably does not even know how to operate a computer. The beauty of parliamentary democracy

And That Is Why Debate On Presidential System Has Started

 

[alibaz]

Federal Cabinet Delays License Renewal Policy Again

The federal cabinet, on Tuesday, has once again delayed the approval for the license renewal policy and constituted a five-member committee for further deliberations.

Prime Minister Imran Khan presided over the cabinet meeting to consider agenda item, “Policy Directive under Section 8 of the Pakistan Telecommunications (Re-Organization) Act 1996 for renewal of cellular mobile licenses in 2019”, submitted by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication.
However, Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Fawad Chaudhry, said that Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) submitted a report to the cabinet for the renewal policy as was directed by the Prime Minister but it is a multi-million dollar transaction and there is a need for further deliberations.

PM Khan constituted a five-member committee comprising on Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Federal Finance Minister Asad Umar, State Minister for Revenue Hammad Azhar, Advisor to Prime Minister Abdul Razzak Dawood and Federal Minister for Privatization Mian Mohammad Soomro to reviewing PTA’s report. After their consensus, the policy will be approved for renewal of mobile licenses.

The government has estimated to generate around $1.3 billion from the renewal of three mobile licenses which are due to expire in the current year.

Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui stated last week that the matter of mobile license renewal has been completed and cabinet approval is expected.

He further said that the government issues policy directives to Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for implementation and would complete the renewal process as well. With every change, there is a need for amendments in the policy and it has been with some adjustments, said the minister adding that all the matters would be resolved amicably.

The draft policy was presented in the cabinet meeting held on April 2, 2019 but after some reservations from the Frequency Allocation Board (FAB), legal advice was sought from the Law Division on the policy for renewal of cellular mobile licenses. According to the minister, an adjustment has been made and the policy was expected to be approved on Tuesday.

Cellular licenses were issued by PTA to two cellular mobile operators i.e. M/s Telenor Pakistan and M/s Warid Telecom on May 26, 2004 for a period of 15 years, under the Mobile Cellular Policy, 2004, on payment of $ 291 million after an auction.

The cellular license of M/s Paktel Limited, now China Mobile Pakistan (Zong), was also renewed by PTA under the 2004 Policy on October 23, 2004 for a period of 15 years on payment of $291 million. These licenses are now due for renewal on May 25, 2019 and October 22, 2019 respectively.

In 2014, the government of Pakistan renewed the license of the state-owned entity, Ufone, at $291 million through interest-free payment installment in order to maintain a level playing field. Telenor Group has recommended that upcoming license of Telenor Pakistan and other operators be renewed under the same terms and conditions.

M/s Veon, one of the largest foreign investors’ in Pakistan has sought a predictable and transparent investment climate and license renewal price of not more than $291 million.

Section 8(1), 8(2)(a) and 5(2)(a) of the Pakistan Telecommunication ( Re-Organisation) Act, 1996 provide the policy framework for determination of terms and conditions of licenses.

Section 8(1) states that the federal government may, as and when it considers necessary, issue policy directives to the Authority, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Act, on matters relating to telecommunication policy referred to in sub-section (2), and the Authority must comply with such directives. 8(2) the matters on which the federal government may issue policy directives shall be- (a) the number and term of the licenses to be granted in respect of telecommunication systems which are public switched networks, telecommunication services over public switched networks and international telecommunication services, and the conditions on which those licenses should be granted.

The Ministry of Telecommunication had submitted the following proposals to the federal government for consideration: (i) the renewal price for the right to use frequency spectrum included in the licences being renewed shall be in accordance with per MHz price benchmarks from frequency spectrum auctions of 2016 and 2017 i.e. per MHz price for frequency spectrum in 900 MHz and 1800 MHz shall be $ 39.5 million and % 29.5 million respectively; (ii) the tenure of the renewed licences shall continue to be 15 years; (iii) payment term shall be 100 per cent upfront or 50 per cent upfront with remaining 50 per cent on five equal installments on Libor+3 per cent; (iv) licences renewed under this policy directive shall be technology neutral in line with existing GoP policies; (v) provision of spectrum trading/ sharing as per the approved regulatory framework for such sharing/ trading will be incorporated in the renewed licences by PTA;(vi) terms and conditions relating to coverage, enhanced Quality of Service (QoS), etc, under the renewed licences, shall be incorporated by PTA in line with Telecom Policy 2015 and as per applicable regulatory practices; (vii) Frequency Allocation Board will provide options in lieu of cross border interfered spectrum to CMPak (Zong in 900 MHz band included in its current licences. In case of non-acceptance of proposed options, renewal of CMPak licence and its associated spectrum (2x 13.6 MHz) shall be dealt in accordance with S.No.4 (v) of 42nd Board’s meeting decision (i.e. without any compensation in terms of additional frequency assignments.

https://propakistani.pk/2019/04/16/federal-cabinet-delays-license-renewal-policy-again/

 

[alibaz]

Jazz Celebrates the Success of its Smart Schools Program

Launched in October 2017, the Jazz Smart Schools program has been a success story so far. To celebrate this success, a ceremony was held, where Shafqat Mahmood, Federal Minister for Education, Ursula Burns, VEON’s CEO and Chairman and Saif Chi, Huawei’s CEO graced the occasion to commend the team behind the program and encourage its adoption in all middle schools of Islamabad.

The ceremony was also a way to recognize top performers from amongst the programme. 100 students received tablets and certificates from Ursula Burns and Shafqat Mahmood for their exceptional performance during mid-term examinations.

In Pakistan, where 38% school going students hardly know how to string a sentence in any language or do basic math, the program has successfully taught 28,000+ middle school girls blended learning in 75 public schools of Islamabad. 800+ female teachers have also been trained to use tech to teach using smart learning solutions based on the existing curriculum. Since the program, both the assessments of students and the training capacity of teachers have improved considerably.

Talking about the need for similar digitally enabled educational initiatives, the Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood stated,

Digital skills are a priority for us because they enable learning on a larger and more effective scale. We will be able to bridge the digital literacy divide in Pakistan with programs like the Jazz Smart Schools.

Launched as a two-year pilot with Knowledge Platform, the Jazz Smart Schools program has recorded significant improvement in five areas: student learning outcomes; teaching quality; student engagement, expanded use of technology, and improved accountability and monitoring of results.

“The results clearly confirm how Jazz and Pakistan Federal Directorate of Education is committed to the digital transformation of Pakistan’s youth. Digital education is the future and I’m very pleased to see that the students at Jazz Smart Schools have taken to it like any other child in the Silicon Valley,” said Ursula Burns.

“We hope that this program is now implemented across the country, as it is in line with not only the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030, but the Pakistan government’s strategic vision 2025,” she added.

A digital sustainability initiative under VEON’s ‘Make Your Mark’ program, Jazz Smart Schools are designed to increase student-learning outcomes and improve teaching methodology by a smart learning solution deployed through a digital blended learning platform. The idea is to digitize Pakistan’s youth bulge and equip them to access entrepreneurial opportunities when they are ready.

Pre-tests were organized for all 20,000 female students in the program to evaluate their current learning levels based on subjects they studied in previous grades. The internal mid-term evaluation results recorded remarkable improvement in student learning outcomes. The formal results of the program will be measured once these students appear for their external board examinations scheduled in April 2019.

https://propakistani.pk/2019/04/15/jazz-celebrates-the-success-of-its-smart-schools-program/

 

[ghazi52]

Engro Corporation, Pakistan’s leading industrial group famous for producing fertilizers and chemicals, has announced a 7.5 billion rupees investment in the telecommunications infrastructure sector of the country.
Engro Corporation has recently announced its first quarter financial results which ended on March 31st, 2019, at a meeting held at the Engro Leadership Academy. Recording a profitable quarter, total revenue of the company grew by 21% in comparison to the same period a year earlier, driven by higher Urea sales in the Fertilizer business. The company has also posted a profit after tax (PAT) of Rs. 3,832 million as compared to the last year, where it was PKR 3,146 million, translating into an EPS (Earnings Per Share) of PKR 7.32 per share.

As part of its long-term strategy after sighting a significant growth in revenue, Engro Corporation has streamlined its businesses in four verticals namely Food & Agriculture, Energy & Related Infrastructure, Petrochemicals, and Telecommunications Infrastructure to focus on creating value and helping Pakistan resolve these challenges.

Engro group’s investment in telecom infrastructure sector has been announced at a time when the telecom sector has been squeezed with the acquisition of Warid by Jazz and resulted in the convergence of telecom industry into four major companies i.e. Jazz, Ufone, Telenor, and Zong. Meanwhile, the growth rate of Pakistan’s telecom sector has been impressive as the increased number of 3G and 4G/LTE users contributed over $ 4.42 billion to the national exchequer from period 2014 to 2017.

Announcing the hefty investment in telecom vertical, Ghias Khan, President & CEO Engro Corporation stated;

“With a core purpose to solve the pressing issues of our time, the growth and prosperity of Engro is intertwined with the growth of Pakistan. Investments in energy, telecommunications infrastructure, petrochemicals, and food & agriculture can accelerate change, help towards increasing exports, the substitution of imports, industrialization in the country, job creation and hence build a stronger Pakistan. Engro Corporation will continue to explore investment opportunities across these four identified verticals with a focus to improve the lives of our stakeholders and communities in which we live and work with a culture founded on truth, trust and a relentless pursuit of excellence.”

Previously, Engro group had set up Enfrashare (Pvt) Ltd. to accelerate the development of the country’s connectivity infrastructure by providing an opportunity for people to be part of the new digital Pakistan. To further boost productivity, the Directors have approved an investment of PKR 7.5 billion into this project. As an initial investment, Enfrashare will engage in the acquisition & construction of shared telecom towers and will also provide telecommunication infrastructure & related services, including state of the art network monitoring solutions.