PTCL monopoly over tariffs intact
ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Telecomrnunication Authority appears to be a toothless watchdog for Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited that still fixes its tariff’ arbitrarily the way it used to do during the days of its monopoly.
According to information available with The Nation, the utility has been drawing enormous advantage due to drastic service cost reduction after installation of optic fibre in most of the cities. The consumer rights observers have opined that the PTCL should Significantly reduce the rates of nationwide dialing to pass on the benefit of the optic fibre to the consumers.
Telecom experts maintain that the optic fibre, once in place up to the custorner’s premises, facilitates a utility to offer local calls at nominal rates if not free of cost. However, it is only possible in an ideal competition, which is a far cry in Pakistan as yet owing to the PTCL in hangover of its traditional monopoly, they said. Requesting anonymity they added that the watchdog PTA has still to grow its teeth to ensure a level playing field between the PTCL everywhere and the new entrants to the competition.
Source: The Nation
Date:10/18/2003
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