PTCL Increases Leased Line Charges By 450%. Why?
I could not believe this when I saw it at Telecom Grid Pakistan, where an active discussion is brewing about this one-sided irrational decision. This reminds of the monopolistic telecom policies from a few years ago - are we sliding back to that drak era? Quoting Tariq’s email to Pakistan ICT Policy group:
PTCL used to have one tariff for leased circuits for 0-200 km range. Now, they have chopped it down four categories 0-50, 51-100, 101-150 and 151-200. The lower distances have the highest tariff hike. Hence, essentially, PTCL has hit the competition where it hurts the most - shorter circuits that make the nitty gritty of the competitions’ network. The competion - Mobilink, Wateen, Multinet - who have shining new long distance networks, these shorter circuits were still the missing pieces and till now they were making sense to get from PTCL where their own networks were not available. With this hike, PTCL has essentially taken away the most essentially elements of these long haul networks putting at risk the entire canvas of rudundant, new age fiber network put up by the new competition.
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PTCL needs to strengthen margins on something. Perhaps this is their top segment to exercise price augmentation. As a company there is pratically nothing wrong with this decision.
Bilal
State of Telecom Industry in Pakistan » PTCL Increases Leased Line Charges By 450%. Why?…
I just wonder every thing in Pakistan is increasing, Oil Prices? Gas Prices? and PTCL? where we are heading ?…
I got this notice from my DSL provider:
***Important Note: PTCL has increased the local internet leased line charges by 450 %. These charges if not immediately withdrawn by the telecom regulator, would lead to increase in DSL broadband charges shortly. Customers are requested to kindly raise their concern with PTA, their email address is complaints@pta.gov.pk or chairman@pta.gov.pk .
Babar, in you opinion, what would be the after-affects of this? Non-PTCL DSL subscribers will have to face an increase in their service-charges (how much)? And they will likely shift to PTCL for DSL?
Am I right? Isn’t it call monopolistic policies?
We understand that PTA has ordered that this tariff increase be suspended.
Yes, as of yesterday, PTCL has reverted back to the previous rates.
A press release issued by PTCL said: “Keeping in view the manifold increase in cost of service provisioning by PTCL and similar pressures faced by our valued ISP and DNOP customers and in consultation with PTA, PTCL being a socially responsible organisation has withdrawn its decision for price rationalization and will serve the ISP and DNOP customers at the earlier rates.”