Archive for February 4th, 2010

PTCL Roundup: Earnings Up 13%, Rs. 5.354 billion Net Profit. Changes to Student Package

Published by Babar Bhatti on February 4, 2010 under 3G, Broadband Internet, Business, Emerging Markets Telecom, PTCL, Telecommunications

PTCL is in the news as it reported earnings: a net profit of Rs. 5.354 billion for the half year ended on 31st December, 2009. This is a 13% growth compared to same period last year. At the same time, PTCL has withdrawn its high-speed Internet discount for students. In a recent press release, it announced that “PTCL is offering special 30% discount package for the students on 1 Mbps connection on high speed broadband services.” The previous connections of 2MBps and 4Mbps offered to students will be downgraded. To me, this business strategy seems odd. Why would you downgrade a popular package at a time when earnings are good?

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New Ovi Maps Downloaded 1.2 Million Times

Published by Babar Bhatti on February 4, 2010 under Location Based Services, Nokia, Smart Phones

Nokia shared that since the launch of the new version of Ovi Maps with free walk and drive navigation, on 21 January 2010, there have been over 1.2 million downloads with over 20% coming from China. By leveraging its investment in NAVTEQ, Nokia has been able to remove the costs associated with navigation for drivers and pedestrians and is quickly activating a massive user base to which it can offer new location features, content and services. The top five most popular Nokia devices installing the download where: Nokia 5800 XpressMusic, Nokia N97 mini, Nokia N97 , Nokia 5230 and E72. From next month all new Nokia GPS-enabled smartphones will include the new version of Ovi Maps, pre-loaded with local country map data, with high-end walk and drive navigation and access to Lonely Planet and Michelin travel guides at no extra cost.

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Late Night Offers Under the Gun – Right or Wrong? You Decide

Published by Arsalan Mir on February 4, 2010 under Business, Competitive Trends, Mobilink, PTA, Pakistan, Telecom News, Telecommunications, Ufone, Warid, Zong

There is a lot of talk about the news that Punjab Government has unanimously passed a resolution banning late night offers/packages by mobile phone operators. Daily times reports it as follows:

Members of the Punjab Assembly (MPAs) on Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution banning late night packages offered by mobile networks at cheap rates in keeping with “moral and social values” and to “maintain the youth’s health and prevent vice”.

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