Cyberia

In a bid to control illegal sale of mobile connections, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Friday announced new procedure for purchasing a unused and non-activated SIM and enforcing mandatory filling of the Cellular Services Agreement Form (CSAF) with thumb impression effective from February 1.

According to the procedure, on confirmation of original CNIC and passport of the customer, the customer will be provided with a CSAF form and will be asked to fill it along with thumb impression and hand it over to the sales representatives. Maximum activation time allowed is 24 hours.

Customer will have to dial ‘789′ for activation of his or her SIM and after successful confirmation of few queries by the call centre representative, SIM will be activated. In case of non-confirmation, the customer will be advised to visit nearest Nadra swift centre. Further, the customer will be given an instruction card highlighting the activation procedure. Cellular Mobile Telephony Operators (CMTO) Call Centres have been ordered the activation after successful verification.

To ensure selling of SIM to a genuine customer with valid documentary proof, the PTA in collaboration with the stakeholders had planed to introduce ‘Inactive SIMs’ in the market. The activation of the SIM will take place after verification of subscriber’s antecedents from Nadra.

To meet the growing demand for mobile services, CMTOs have significantly expanded their distribution channels to increase their sale without much focus on verification of subscribers’ antecedents, which resulted in increased concerns of law enforcement agencies. In order to address the situation, the PTA adopted a series of procedures in consultation with the operators and law enforcement agencies. It was observed that the companies kept on increasing their sale without properly verifying consumers’ antecedents.

Consequently, a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) was issued on June 28, 2005 on the subject in which, mobile companies were required to get their data verified through Nadra database and issue new connections after due verification. Further, in May 2007, the PTA issued a strict directive splitting the verification in two parts that include; ‘New Connection Sale’ and ‘Cleaning of Old Data’ with clear deadlines for mobile operators to complete the task.

As a result, an adequate amount of old data was cleaned through Nadra database and considerable improvement was observed in sale of new connections through the franchisees only. However, in January 2008, the Ministry of Information Technology (IT) and Telecom issued a policy directive under section 8(2)(c) of the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) Act 1996, which replicates the procedure already in place for verification of mobile subscribers’ antecedents.

In light of the policy directive, a revised SOP was issued inline with the existing policy for immediate implementation by the Cellular Operators. Further, to ensure the implementation of the SOP, a number of measures were initiated, which include meetings with law enforcement officers, business communities and sales representatives and conduct countrywide surveys and inspections through the PTA Zonal Offices.

Following the new initiatives, about 106 raids were conducted, 853 franchises inspected and 4,108 retailers inspected while around 1, 425 SIMs were confiscated and 102 people involved in illegal business were arrested.

These strict measures undertaken by the PTA across the country presented the data of mobile subscribers’ antecedents for connection sold up to November 30, 2008 verified through Nadra and blocked 8.23 million unverified connections. As the policy, 10 connections on single CNIC are allowed per mobile operator. The excess connections on single CNIC have been regularised through a media campaign. Until now, 2.92 million excess connections have been blocked while the total blocked connection stands11.15 millions. The PTAs new policy is expected to check illegal mobile dealing considerably as, to further strengthen the control on illegal sale of mobile connections, operators have now registered all authorised franchisee and retailers.

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Dr Mohammed Yaseen has expressed his satisfaction over the measures taken by mobile phone operators with regard to implement of new system of issuing SIMs with effect from tomorrow (February 1). He was talking to media person while inaugurating the newly established Mobilink Call Centre here on Friday.

The Mobilink Chief Executive Officer Rashad Khan was also present on the occasion. All SIMs issued under the new regime will be inactive and the user will not be able to make or receive calls until the user verifies their identity by calling on the toll free number 789, process similar to one used by banks when issuing ATM cards. It is expected usage of unauthorised SIMs will reduce drastically.

The PTA chief said that he had visited offices of three companies including Mobilink in Lahore and one in Islamabad and found all arrangement up to standard set by the Authority. He said the new system is being adopted in view of prevailing security situation, which would prove fruitful in coming days.

To a question, he said that the new system would not mean to disclose personal data rather it would help strengthen the security and service as well. Every subscriber will be provided ‘user guidance’ and activation would be possible after providing identification, he added. To another question, he said the PTA has so far blocked one million unregistered SIMs.

Answering to newsmen, he said that Pakistan also came under global financial crunch. However, its impact is not severe in Pakistan and we would soon be getting out of this problem, he maintained. He also said that the PTA in collaboration with the mobile phone companies is launching value-added services for the consumers. About the introduction of 3G, he said this system provides quality and value added services which of course would be provided to the people across the country.

On the occasion, the Mobilink Chief Executive Officer Rashad Khan apprised the PTA chief of the measures taken in line with the Authority’s instructions and said the Mobilink is fully prepared to ensure that all SIMs sold by the company February 1, 2009 onwards are verified and issued as per PTA’s guidelines. The PTA directives regarding issuing new connections from February 1 were followed to the letter and spirit while also taking steps to facilitate the user in the activation process.

He said that Mobilink welcomes the new PTA regime fully and has taken all the necessary steps to make sure that SIMs sold by the company on February 1 onwards are activated after verification.

The main telecoms operator in the United Arab Emirates, Etisalat, posted Thursday a 19 percent increase in its net profits in 2008. The government-owned giant said net profits jumped to 8.7 billion dirhams (2.4 billion dollars) over 7.297 billion dirhams (1.99 billion dollars) in 2007, according to preliminary results.

Net profits in the fourth quarter of 2008 surged 18 percent to 2.1 billion dirhams (0.6 billion dollars), it said in a statement. Total assets also increased by 18 percent to 62.1 billion dirhams (16.9 billion dollars).

Chairman Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Dr Mohammed Yaseen, has said that all arrangements have been finalised for the inception of new system from February 1 for the issuance of non-activated SIMs and their activation after verification.

He said this during a visit to Call Centre and Customer Service Centre of Pak Mobile (Zong) here on Thursday. On this occasion Chairman PTA witnessed the demonstration of new system of activation of mobile phone SIMs. He further said that after this system is implemented, it is expected usage of unauthorised SIMs would reduce drastically.

He asked several questions about the new system from the Call Centre representatives. CEO China Mobile Zafar Usmani briefed him about the preparation for this system and showed his satisfaction on it. It may be noted that earlier pre-activated SIMs were being sold in the market and could be used instantly after purchase. In contrast, in the new system, a non-activated SIM would be sold to the consumer, after checking his original CNIC and filling of Cellular Service Agreement (CSA) form.

The consumer will then call 789 from the same SIM and call centre would ask few questions to verify the data provided by the consumer. After online verification from Nadra, if answers are correct SIM would be activated. In case of incorrect answers consumer will contact Nadra Swift Centre or Customer Services Centre of the concerned mobile operator.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has directed the mobile phone operators to apprise PTA on daily basis of the steps being taken for the implementation of new system devised for the issuance of SIM.

The PTA, in line with the federal government’s instructions, wants strict implementation of the new system with effect from February 1, 2009 and would not tolerate any kind of negligence in this regard, said PTA Zonal Director Nisar Ahmad Awan while addressing a meeting of the PTA officials here on Tuesday. The PTA would ensure effective implementation of the procedure for issuing new SIMs to the subscribers, he said and added the PTA team visited Mobilink, Warid and Telenor call centres/offices in the city to review the new procedure of verifying computerised national identity cards from the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra).

The PTA team has expressed its dissatisfaction over the steps taken by the Mobilink and Warid for implementing the new procedure. Both the mobile operators have been directed to adapt themselves in line with the PTA directions so that the new system could be implemented with effect from February 1, he added.

Ufone has introduced a 3 minute package to offer the lowest ever call rates on three minute, said a press release issued here on Monday. The package enables the users to enjoy the three minutes call for Rs 2 only, namely one- minute call for 66 paisas. Ufone expresses its commitment to facilitate its valued customers by bringing such innovative products.

The Ufone new offer gives an unmatched call rate of Rs 2 per every three minutes on any Ufone to Ufone calls ie only 66 paisas per minute. Similarly, Rs 3.2 for every three minutes on calls to any other cellular network for instance Rs 1.07 per minute, according to the press release.

Mobilink, the country’s market leader in cellular communication and a subsidiary of Orascom Telecom, has introduced the lowest ever call rates offered by any cellular operator in the country and one of the world’s lowest under “Jazz Budget.”

Elaborating on the new tariff package, Bilal Munir Sheikh, Vice President Marketing, Mobilink said, “A major reason why Mobilink Jazz continues to be the most popular and loved brand is that we have never compromised on quality, convenience and connectivity. Our philosophy has been on putting the consumer first and the response has always been overwhelmingly positive.

Jazz Budget’s latest introduction rewards our valuable customers with the best and lowest rates in the market today across all networks anytime that no other operator is offering.” Jazz Budget enables subscribers to make calls at 68 paisas per 30 seconds to Mobilink as well as other networks or even landlines at anytime. Current Jazz users can convert to Jazz Budget by dialling 123 and following the instructions.

PTCL Broadband, country’s largest and fastest growing broadband service showed a growth of 48 percent in the last quarter of October-December 2008, breaking all its previous growth rates. According to PTCL spokesperson within one and a half years of its broadband launch, PTCL has acquired over 100,000 broadband customers in over 100 cities and towns across Pakistan.

The year 2008 was also very significant for PTCL Broadband in which it achieved. In October 2008, PTCL also became the first ever company in Pakistan to spread its broadband coverage to over 100 cities and then two months later it also became the first company ever in Pakistan to acquire over 100,000 broadband customers.

It is important to note that before PTCL’s entry into the broadband market in 2007, was primarily only available in 3 major cities of the country. With its entry in this market segment, PTCL opened up a broadband culture in Pakistan, where till a couple of years back there was very little awareness in the Pakistani market about broadband and high speed internet services.

Since its broadband launch in May 2007, PTCL made the broadband technology affordable by decreasing the barriers to entry, by geographically bringing the service within the reach of a common user across Pakistan and by continuous improvement in the customer service provisioning and complain management for the service.

Special packages for the student segment along with services such as free dial up service for its broadband customers and free access to movies, music, classical Pakistani dramas, educational data, religious content and cricket matches are available for its customers. Branded under ‘PTCL BUZZ’, this complete web infotainment content portal is made exclusive only to PTCL broadband subscribers. In addition to these value additions, PTCL now also offers a free personalised e-mail account exclusively to its broadband users.

Mobilink, the country’s market leader in cellular communication services and a subsidiary of Orascom Telecom, and General Insurance Limited (EFU) jointly announced an Accidental Death Insurance via SMS service of up to Rs 300,000, says a press release.

This was reported by Wasif Mustafa, Director VAS IR, Market Development and LDI, Mobilink and Khurram Nasim Ghuman, Assistant Executive Director, EFU General Insurance Limited. On the occasion, Wasif said that Pakistan’s favourite cellular company touching the lives of millions’ of people and we ensure that our customers are getting the host in life.

The report said that this new and unique SMS service will enable our customers to easily plan for any unforeseen circumstances by insuring themselves up to an amount of Its’ Rs 300 000 for one year via our extremely simple process.

Khurram Nasim Ghuman said that our customers can avail this facility and do not need to correspond with arty insurance agents for subscribing to this insurance plan this is the best, safest and easiest form of an Accidental Insurance, which no insurance company or any mobile operator has offered this.

“We are grateful to Mobilink for partnering with us to help millions of people, in Pakistan to be well-covered”. Mobilink is the only operator in Pakistan offering this service which eliminates the hassle of lengthy forms, registration process and correspondence with agents for all its customers throughout Pakistan by ‘allowing users to register via SMS.

Any registered SIM user of Mobilink can gain this Accidental insurance by simply sending “REG” to 1600 via SMS at a nominal charge of Rs 15 + tax. Upon verification, the sender will entitle to insurance of up to Rs 300,000, which will be valid for one year.