Draft policy for 3G auction ready
ISLAMABAD: To move ahead with the auction of multibillion dollar 3G technology, the government has prepared a draft of policy directive by suggesting entry of existing as well as new players, technology transfer, and others measures – which will be tabled before the advisory committee for approval within this week.
The Minister of State for Information Technology Anusha Rehman briefed the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology on Wednesday and apprised parliamentarians that the advisory committee headed by the Finance Minister Ishaq Dar was the competent forum having larger representation of all stakeholders to approve policy directives for moving towards auction of 3G technologies in Pakistan.
“After the issuance of policy directive by the IT ministry, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) will appoint consultant of international repute to come up with best mode of 3G auction,” she said and added that if asked by the consultant for bringing any changes in the policy directives the ministry would be ready to review it with open mind.
The draft of policy directive, she said, was prepared by studying experiences of different countries such as Bangladesh and UK to ensure best international practices presentable before the advisory committee. Now the committee will take decision by evolving consensus over the policy, she said.
Once all stakeholders agree on the policy, it would be issued over the next few days as soon as the committee holds its meeting for granting its nod.
The draft policy directive has suggested spectrum auction by allowing existing and new entrants, transfer of technology, green infrastructure and site sharing mechanism for moving towards the desired objectives.
“It would be a national cause to avoid any controversy over this issue as this country needs progressing towards new era of technology to meet with the requirement of 21st century,” she told this scribe after the meeting. After issuance of the policy directive, she said that it would be the domain of the PTA to conduct auction of spectrum of this new technology – which should now be brought into Pakistan for achieving better and prosperous future. —Mehtab Haider
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