3G mobile technology: PTA to introduce policy framework shortly | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

3G mobile technology: PTA to introduce policy framework shortly

KARACHI: Secretary IT and Telecom Naguibullah Malik on Monday said Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) would shortly introduce a policy framework on the 3G mobile technology. Speaking as a chief guest at a seminar – “Demand for 3G and beyond”, jointly organised by the PTA and HUWAEI, he said the PTA has so far completed most of the work regarding the policy.

He said license for the 3G technology would shortly be issued to the mobile operators, as a couple of companies have agreed to take part in the auction process regarding the acquisition of technology. He said the country’s telecom sector has witnessed an unprecedented growth since the deregulation of the industry. He pointed out that tele density rate was at 63 percent presently and hoped the industry was likely to surpass 100 million mobile subscription target in the coming years.

Naguibullah said the broadband growth in the country has witnessed a growth of 150 percent in the last two years. Secretary IT said Pakistan had been placed on the sixth position in terms of quarterly growth and 10th in terms of annual growth in the global broadband market.

Chairman PTA Muhammad Yasin pointed out that country’s broadband sector had grown from 45,000 users in 2007 to 900,000 users this year. He hoped the introduction of the 3G services would largely help in boosting country’s economy.

He also said the country was already earning over Rs 100 billion annually from the telecom sector’s taxes and hoped the increasing usage of the telecom technology would further boost up the revenues. Speakers said the 3G technology would benefit businesses, education, government, national economy, local software houses and urban and rural societies, besides local content development. Later, a MoU was also signed for infrastructure sharing between the PTA and cellular operators of Pakistan.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:8/3/2010