Mobile phones have transformed the lives of millions of people across Pakistan, connecting communities and helping develop both the rural and urban economies. As recently as 2001, the country had just 300,000 subscribers and was a fairly immature mobile market. Fast forward ten years and Pakistan is at the forefront of the mobile revolution in the emerging world. Nokia has played a key role in this country-wide revolution as part of its commitment to bring a billion more people access to information and services through its handsets.

Today’s top phones often contain as much processing power as a desktop PC did five years ago, and can often do far more, but in Pakistan it is Dual SIM handsets that have been the bedrock of the country’s mobile revolution. Users are attracted to the flexibility and choice offered by multi-SIM handsets in a market with the abundance of operators and pricing plans.

Historically Pakistan’s mobile users have been confronted with a sea of sub-par handsets when choosing a Dual SIM phone and the market has stagnated in a slew of low quality products. As users have matured so have their demands, with increasing numbers of customers wishing to access the variety of services that mobile phones can offer, from feature-rich applications to online services. The country’s infrastructure has benefited from increased investment from both the public and private sectors and is now approaching the point when it can start to handle the data hungry demands of the modern mobile user.

In response to these challenges, last year Nokia used its world class heritage in mobile phone development to produce a range of Dual SIM handsets that offer users an intuitive, feature-rich experience at a price that everyone can afford. Intensively researched and carefully developed, Nokia’s technology is designed specifically with the Pakistani consumer in mind, including bespoke features like Easy Swap which can remember up to five SIM cards. The result was the Nokia X1-01 and C2-00 – high-quality, budget phones that come with more memory, a better battery life and intuitive SIM change options.

This represented a significant proportion of the 3.3 million Dual SIM handsets that Nokia shipped in 2^nd half of last year, and helps prove that consumers are seeking feature-rich phones at affordable prices. These innovations, rather than diluting operator revenues, are actually driving Average Revenues per Unit (ARPUs), as well as improving the user experience.

Getting people online should be at the forefront of every carrier’s strategy. The mobile phone industry in Pakistan is one of the fastest growing sectors in consumer goods, and the population has demonstrated that they are willing to embrace quality phones. Research from the University of the Punjab, published in the International Journal of Business and Social Science last year, has shown that the majority of users in Pakistan consider mobile phones a “necessity of life” and will consider almost all features of a handset when purchasing.

The latest industry statistics show that GPRS data usage on Nokia handsets in Pakistan is now well above 40% across the board. Coupled with that around a quarter (23%) of Dual SIM X2-01 users in Pakistan have become first-time internet users, experiencing the benefits of apps, enjoying multi-media messaging and a host of other online activities for the first time. Personal relationships are growing and communities developing as customers evolve beyond the standard phone calls and SMS into a media-rich user experience. Nokia has pledged to connect a billion people, and this is another step in the realisation of that goal.

2012 promises to be an exciting year for the mobile industry in Pakistan. Both handset activation and user numbers are predicted to continue to rise, and more people than ever are on course to access the internet for the first time. Having revolutionised the Dual SIM market last year with its range of robust, feature-heavy phones at affordable prices, Nokia is planning to build on its successful partnership with local telecom operators. Nokia is already in discussion with operators across the country to help customers benefit from affordable internet data bundles, and ensure that when users take their first step onto the mobile internet, Nokia will be with them all the way.

via Information provided by Nokia Pakistan

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The process is already in place at Business Centers and Franchises, Warid now has empowered Retailers to further enhance their customer experience.

Mechanism:

1. Subscriber walks in to a Retailer shop & requests for a new Warid number.
2. Retailer dials *231# from EVC SIM and receives 5 new mobile numbers.
3. If the customer does not like any of the numbers, the Retailer will dial *231# again from EVC SIM to receive next 5 mobile numbers.
4. Once the customer likes one of the numbers from the available list then:
5. Retailer will dial 135 helpline for Number Mapping.
6. Retailer will provide the selected mobile number and ICCID (Written on the SIM) to the 135 agent for Number Mapping.
7. When the number is successfully mapped by the 135 agent, the customer will need to call 789 after one hour to activate the number.

Charges:
Regular Warid Prepaid SIM charges apply to Warid EZEE Connection SIM cards.

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The bonus amount ranges from 5% for a reload of less than Rs. 100, upto 25% for a reload of Rs. 1,000 or more.

This bonus will not only be eligible for free calls to all local networks but also free SMS to all local networks.

Customers can also enjoy amazing call rates as low as Rs. 2.99/hour for all calls to FnF for the duration of the campaign.

Warid members can also get a chance to win free return tickets to Malaysia after a lucky draw.

Detailed terms and conditions can be followed here.

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The efforts of Pakistan’s telecom watchdog to regulate SIM cards in the country have been recognized regionally despite partial success of law enforcement agencies in curbing unregistered SIM cards, a statement released by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority said on Friday.

It said that the Mobile SIM Information and Verification System (668), which was developed, deployed and hosted by PTA, had received appreciation at the regional level. The statement said that it was listed among finalists in the recently held mBillionth South Asia Awards 2011 organised in New Delhi by Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF).

The award is a dedicated platform to explore the latent potential of mobile and telecom sector across eight countries in South Asia, it said.

The 668 system provides an internet- and SMS-based interface to end-users to help them retrieve their registered SIM card information. Under this system, a subscriber can send his computerised national identification card (CNIC) number to 668 via an SMS. He then receives details of all SIM cards registered against his CNIC along with the names of the mobile phone companies.

via Express Tribune

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On this occasion, Chairman interacted with mobile users present at the Telenor CSC for the correction of their SIMs data and other services. He also enquired about the electronic re-verification process from the customers. Mobile customers apprised him about their issues regarding correction of SIMs data. He also talked to the Customer Services staff and they informed him about the procedures they were following to support the customers. Senior representatives of concerned mobile operators were also present on this occasion.

It is part of PTA’s effort for electronic re-verification of all mobile users through SIM Information System – 668. During all the phases of cleaning of mobile subscribers’ data, a total of 16.2 million unregistered/unverified SIMs/ mobile connections have been blocked till date. In the second week of the process of intelligent blocking, 0.858 million mobile connections were blocked. Out of these, 0.544 million mobile connections were re-activated through 789 i.e. verifying their antecedents through NADRA’s Database.

It is also important to mention here that for the best interest of consumers’, PTA has made the service of 668 free of charge where consumer can know the count of SIMs of each mobile company registered against his CNIC by sending his CNIC number to 668 through SMS. Purpose of initiating blocking that too in phased manner is to assist mobile users with one more chance to correct the antecedents of their mobile connections.

via Press Release

On a side-note, we hope that PTA asks all operators to justify the recent maintenance/operation/admin charges imposed by them.

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Those who have not used their Warid SIM since May 2011, just by activating it now, not only will they receive free minutes / SMS worth 10% of their recharge amount, but also become eligible for the Bol Anmol Reward Program. With the help of Warid Mobile Number Portability (MNP) service, non-Warid customers may also switch to Warid network and can receive instant bonus with Bol Anmol Reward Program.

On the other hand creatives at Warid are cooking an idea perhaps related to some change as reflected by this billboard sighted at DHA Lahore. Lets see what changes with Warid…

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You may also give your opinions in comments.

The post Poll: How many SIMs must be allowed per CNIC? appeared first on TelecomPK.

1. One SIM against one CNIC and block the rest.
2. Prepaid SIMs verification to be completed in 30 days.
3. Curtail unbranded cell phones and cell phones with same IMEI numbers.
4. Synchronizing SIMs with IMEI numbers with the help of service provider and NADRA.
5. Cellular companies to advise their contract customers to re-verify their IDs/SIMs again.
6. Identify all those consumers holding the sets with duplicate / multiple IMEI against one SIM within 10 days and inform the consumer accordingly.
7. No import of mobile phones without PTA authorization. PTA to issues licenses of importing phones after doing due diligence.
8. PTA will issue standards/specifications of cellular phones to be imported. The importers have to submit specifications, IMEI number of cellular phones and sets to PTA before getting import license.
9. FBR has been advised not to clear any consignment without PTA authorization.
10. No mobile phone SIMs should be given to buyer on the spot, rather it will be posted on their residential address after necessary verification from NADRA.

The Federal Secretary Interior,Chairman PTA, Provincial Home Secretaries, Chief Commissioner Islamabad, IGP Islamabad and reps of Intelligence Agencies, FIA and stakeholders were also present in the meeting.

Let’s take a look at this 10 point recommendations of which few are appreciable, some are not even practical given the time period while some are contrary to already laid down regulations.

1. We had discussed on the multiple SIMs phenomenon earlier, and the problem lies in the regulation. Under the rules, a cellular operator can issue 10 SIMs to a subscriber having a computerised national identity card (CNIC). Now imagine this number with 5 cellular operators. To reduce the multiple SIM chaos, PTA must act to revise this rule.
2. All operators have the 789 system for new SIM verification/activation. We also have the 668 SIM information system where CNIC holders can ensure of  number of SIMs issued in their names. Both were lauded and successful, yet again we are striving to get the verification process? More important than to complete the process in 30 days is to find out the the loop holes in the current process/system.
3. This is very appreciable and something that the government needs to work on. A legislation can be devised to completely ban such devices in Pakistan. Operators must then get all such devices barred from the network.
4. If what this means is that SIM, IMEI and CNIC must be recorded on the same table, it is easily doable if SIM and NADRA data gets fixed because SIM and IMEI are already recorded with operator.
5. If it is about post-paid customers their respective account managers can take care of this in a given time-line. About prepaid customers re-verification, it will not only be a lengthy process but this will also demand significant monetary input. Will the government share this burden with operators or order them to do the needful?
6. Doable but 10 days are less for such an activity. It will require a proper awareness campaign and a time-line be given to customers to stop used of  the non-unique and false IMEI devices. After a given time-line such devices can be barred from the network.
7. Authorized imports is appreciable if done in channelized way. This again requires proper law-making.
8. Like seventh, proper law-making is needed.
9. How can it be under implementation without proper law-making?
10. If an proper effective registration and verification system gets in place, such a step will not be needed.

In the end if the Honorable Interior Minister is so serious on these recommendation then the next step will be forwarding them to the Ministry of IT and Telecom (MoITT) where we yet again have no dedicated Minister.

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This historical event will long be remembered not only by the regulator but also by the Government of Pakistan without who’s fair and friendly policies it could not have been possible to achieve 100 million subscription mark. During the ceremony Pakistan Post representative presented a commemorative stamp to the Prime Minister of Pakistan which has been issued on this occasion.

Pakistan telecom industry was growing at an astounding pace after the deregulation of the sector. The mobile sector growth has been extraordinary and this sector has become a model for other countries across the world. A number of factors have played role in it including investor friendly government policies and healthy competition introduced by the Government which has encouraged operators to an extra mile for making a strong subscriber base. The predictions, estimates and forecasts made for Pakistan mobile industry proved to be counterfactual and the subscriber base proceeded with growth higher than the forecasted one.

Mobile services in Pakistan started in 1995 and three operators Instaphone, Paktel and Mobilink were providing services to only 68,038 subscribers on exorbitant rates. In order to give choice to the people of Pakistan, Ufone a subsidiary of PTCL was given license to operate mobile services in year 2000. With the consent of the Government the Regulator implemented the Calling Party Pays Regime in 2001which gave boost to the subscriber base and it crossed 1 million in 2002. (1.7 million Subscribers in 2002). In 2003 deregulation was introduced in the mobile sector of Pakistan through Mobile Cellular Policy. Telenor & Warid were awarded two new mobile licenses in 2004 against the price of 291 million dollar each and they started their operations in 2005.  There was competition with 6 operators which gave boost to mobile subscribers base and it crossed 12 million in 2005. Telecom Industry showed signs of maturity with competition in 2007 and operators were providing services to 68 million subscribers. In year 2009 subscribers crossed figure of 95 million. In June 2010 mobile subscribers reached 99.4 million. Now this is the milestone that PTA is celebrated an amazing growth rate over the years.

PTA will continue to ensure provision of best telecom services to the citizens of Pakistan. Its main objective is to make the telecom sector an even stronger and vital asset to national economy. PTA hopes to continue its efforts in this direction.

via PTA Press Release

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A bundle of thanks for appreciating the first episode. Keeping in view the feedback received we have decided to keep the language of the show simple and as much as possible have the discussions in Urdu.

This and coming few episodes shall be focused on Year in Review 2010 where me and Ammar Faheem will discuss the major Telecom activities of the year that just passed by.

The highlights of this episode are:

• Landmark 100 million subscribers and multiple sim phenomenon
• Pakistan Floods and their effect on the telecom sector
• Mergers and speculations of collaborations

Watch out episode 2, the first part of our Year in Review 2010 series.

This was it, while we are back with the next episode, your feedback is important to us, leave it in comments below or write to us at thetelecomtalk@gmail.com.

The post Telecom Talk – Episode 2 – Year in Review 2010 [Part 1] appeared first on TelecomPK.