PTA Announces Upcoming Plans: Not Enough To Regain The Lost Momentum
Chairman Pakistan Telecom Authority (PTA) Dr. Muhammad Yaseen talked about a number of upcoming telecom initiatives in Pakistan. The list includes 3G, MVNO, Boradband and Rural communications. I consider such announcements as public relation management. I am skeptical. In my opinion, none of these initiatives are likely to have a major positive impact on the telecom industry or consumers. The government needs to stop treating telecom industry in Pakistan as a cow they can keep milking (through insanely high taxes) forever. The need is to address the fundamental issues and problems, most of which relate to the economy and fiscal policies.
Here are my brief reactions on PTA’s announcements:
- 3G Launch - mobile companies are hesitant to invest.
- Consumer Protection Cell - long overdue, past performance was dismal.
- Mobile Virtual Network Operators - uncertain future because of the low levels of interest shown.
- Strategy and Development Division - how come they did not have a strategy group before? how have they been creating policies till now? Do we need another “Think Tank” ?
- This one takes the cake: PTA is launching Broadband! Actually this is true. The broadband numbers are so low that we can safely say that broadband was NEVER there and start from zero.
A few excerpts from the press release:
“The growth of broadband services could not take fast pace in view of its high costs. PTA has now focused on this area and with the launch of some recent services like Wimax penetration of broadband across the country would increase resulting in enhanced data and voice services available to a common Pakistani. More than 100 percent growth of broadband was recorded in the last year. 3G will also increase mobile broadband services,” he said.
“In view of prompt redressal of consumer complaints a dedicated consumer protection cell has recently been established at PTA. This Cell would work in close coordination with mobile, fixed, internet and other operators to solve consumers’ complaints regarding their services. Consumer regulations are also being formed which would help in dealing with consumer related issues. Other measures in this regard would also be taken,” he added.
He said a new Division namely Strategy and Development has been formed in PTA which would work as a Think Tank and would advise the authority on future telecom policies.
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Sir, am from an indian Consumer organisation. Why do you say that CONSUMER COUNCIL is dormant. Cant you do something to make it a vibrant Movement,as in INDIA?
The biggest opportunity 3G can bring is the Wireless Broadband, Pakistan being densely populated country, with little to nothing broadband penetration, poor cu plants perfect opportunity for the wireless broadband.
I am not sure what is the rational behind announcing plans involving MVNO’s. The business case for MVNO has proven to be very challenging time after time. That reason alone prevents investors from entering the MVNO market.
A handful MVNO’s started their service in the North America; only a few are left now that are in service. The market conditions in Pakistan might be a little different.
It would be great to know what strategy PTA has considered to open its network for potential MVNO operators.
Thanks
Rauf
Well.. I believe that all of these initiatives planned at PTA are noticeable. 3G is the next generation mobile technology with improved spectral efficiency. Let the regulator offer this technology and operator decide what to do. In fact 3G will definitely come into play especially in context with mobile Broadband.
A dedicated consumer protection cell will improve consumer confidence, provided that necessary action is taken on consumer problems.
The new strategy and development division is basically a re-naming of Policy and Research Division of PTA. Broadband requires strong attention from the Ministry and the regulator, this again is a positive sign.
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