Archive for April 29th, 2008

PTCL Versus Telecom Consumers Of Pakistan

Published by Babar Bhatti on April 29, 2008 under Broadband Internet, Consumer Rights, Government Regulations, PTCL, Pakistan, Telecommunications

Over the past 2 years, TelecomPk.Net has offered many reviews and commentary about PTCL. This post gives a summary of the stories written about PTCL with a time line view. A quick look shows that the telecom consumers of Pakistan have been engaged in various forms of struggle with the privatised face of PTCL. The way PTCL handled the most recent rate increase of local calls (from 0.4 Rs per minute to 1 Rs per min) is indicative of its attitude towards consumers. I wish that I could PTCL the benefit of doubt but its too late for that.

Click to Enlarge - PTCL Issues

Perhaps it is time to re-write the PTCL mission statement to omit customer satisfaction.

To be the leading Information and Communication Technology Service Provider in the region by achieving customer satisfaction and maximizing shareholders’ value.

In case you missed the past stroies, here is a list of the highlights. (All PTCL posts can be found here)

2006 - Broadband Tarrifs: PTA vs PTCL in court
- Battle of Bandwidth Tarrifs
- Ptcl vs PTA

2007 - ISPs vs PTCL, Profit Falls, Service Issues, Lower DSL Rates, Pakistan Package Forced On Consumers
* Pakistan ISPs Against Ptcl
* PTCL Net down by 25%
* Performance Review
* Lower Broadband Rates from Ptcl
* Service Issues Continue
* Pakistan Package Controversy

2008 - PTA reprimands PTCL, Local call rates changed quietly, Pakistan package modified
+ PTA issues directive against PTCL after public uproar
+ Ptcl Packages rips off consumers

Green Communication Or Suggest The Title

Published by Atif Tahir on April 29, 2008 under Infrastructure, Telecommunications

Throughout my recent stay in Malaysia, I tried to find GSM towers but did not find one and for me it was very strange. Finally I solved the mystery. In cities like Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Cyberjaya, Petaling jaya etc, communication equipment was placed on all the high rise buildings and that is why it was not visible. However, between cities and in small towns, authorities have placed pre-fabricated towers made of synthetic fiber or plastic like material and good thing is that these communication towers look like trees and thus become invisible among other trees and plantation. I suppose, it is an eminent effort to keep landscape neat and to preserve the environment while deploying technology.

Mobile Tower Malaysia