NADRA registration mandatory for WLL connections: PTA
KARACHI: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has made it mandatory for Wireless Local Loop (WLL) sector to implement the data verification procedures of the customers with National Database Registration Authority (NADRA).
The authority has directed all WLL operators to set up their call centres in order to facilitate new customers in getting their connections activated within the shortest time period. Out of eight, there are six active operators in WLL sector with 2.65 million subscribers. WLL sector’s tele-density stood at 1.6 percent by end of July 2010. The Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) of the subscribers’ verification process is almost the same like the one for cellular phone sector. The NADRA will charge Rs 13 per verification fees for each connection.
PTA along with all cellular operators introduced ‘Online Verification of Mobile Subscribers’ antecedents through NADRA’s Database-789 in February 2009. Sector sources told Daily Times that the process had been initiated six months ago with a couple of operators —Wateen and Worldcall, which has cleaned up its 100 and 60 percent data having verified their subscribers’ data with NADRA.
“Every operator of WLL sector will follow the same suit and establish their call centre and its related set up at the earliest,” PTA Chairman Dr Muhammad Yaseen said. The facilitation of the genuine subscribers must be our top priority, but not at the cost of national security. Fake subscribers must be discouraged at any cost and all-out technical and other efforts must be made in this regard, he added.
It is also directed to all WLL operators to clean up their fake connections after rectifying the data of their existing subscribers with NADRA. PTA chief urged the WLL operators to spare no stone unturned while issuing the new connections strictly in accordance with the laid down procedures for new regime. PTCL is leading in the WLL market with 1.2 million connections followed by Telecard 0.588 million users and WorldCall 0.581 million subscribers. muhammad yasir
Source: Daily Times
Date:9/10/2010
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