Ufone Revises its Fortnightly SMS Package: ProPakistani

Ufone Revises its Fortnightly SMS Package
Seminar on ‘Connected World’ Held
Govt Bigwig’s Son Backing Telecom Cartel

Ufone Revises its Fortnightly SMS Package

Posted: 29 Sep 2010 07:14 PM PDT

Ufone Revises its Fortnightly SMS Package is a post from: ProPakistani

Ufone has increased the limit of text messages, its subscribers can send with Ufone fortnightly SMS package.

Earlier, fortnightly SMS package allowed 1,000 text messages in 14 days, which is now increased to 2,500 SMS in same time duration at same charges.

Ufone's fortnightly package is liked by those who are not text messaging freaks, however, they send occasional messages for their communication needs.

How to Subscribe:

Send Sub to 603!

Terms:

All rates are exclusive of GST
Standard rates apply to all SMS sent to the respective ShortCode.
offer do not include Premium SMS OR International SMS.
To check remaining free SMS & expiry date you can send blank SMS to 606.
You can unsubscribe to the package at any time by simply SMSing "Unsub" to 506
19.5% FED on usage and 10% withholding tax at recharge or bill applies.

Seminar on ‘Connected World’ Held

Posted: 29 Sep 2010 07:03 PM PDT

Seminar on ‘Connected World’ Held is a post from: ProPakistani

Ericsson Pakistan organized a seminar on “Connected World”, aimed at creating awareness about improved life styles and overall economical health as well as business opportunities made possible by mobile broadband including the exciting consumer experiences that lay ahead with mobile broadband.

Interesting case studies around machine to machine (M2M) were shared with the audience while focusing on the fact that anything and everything can be part of a “Connected World.” The seminar was attended more than two hundred representatives, decision-makers and influential industry players from telecom operators, Ministry of IT & Telecom, the regulator, government bodies including the armed forces and media.

The chief guest speaker, Chairman of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority Dr Mohammed Yaseen said, “Pakistan has experienced broadband growth of 150 percent over the past two years and we have been placed 6th in terms of quarterly growth in the global broadband market. With teledensity at 63 percent, staying connected has started to be an everyday thing for the 99 million mobile subscribers in Pakistan.”

“A Connected World offers a wealth of possibilities for consumers, from improved health care, security, and better access to education to personal communication, information and entertainment – all of which will bring us a step closer towards becoming an information-rich society,” said Mohsen Tavakol, President of Ericsson Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd.

Govt Bigwig’s Son Backing Telecom Cartel

Posted: 28 Sep 2010 10:37 PM PDT

Govt Bigwig's Son Backing Telecom Cartel is a post from: ProPakistani

Son of a top person in government is allegedly hindering the way of multiple companies for deploying undersea cable, just to maintain the monopoly of existing operators, reported 'The Nation' today.

Nation, in its report alleged that existing three undersea fiber optic cable operators have joined hands with the said person to block the road for any upcoming operators.

Following is the excerpt of report produced by 'The Nation’

Son of a top government functionary is reportedly backing the powerful telecommunication cartel that has the ownership of existing undersea fibre optic cables in Pakistan, TheNation has reliably learnt.

The aforesaid individual has reportedly joined hands with telecommunication giants to help them maintain their monopoly in order to block the way of other telecommunication companies from getting the optical fibre cables (OFCs) deployed undersea within the sea jurisdiction of Pakistan.

Presently, there are three undersea OFCs installed through submarines in Pakistan. The entire internet data trafficking to and from the country is carried out through these three cables, which belong to semi-private and private sectors. Of these OFCs, the two are part of the global inter-continental fibre optic network known as SEA-ME-WE (South East Asia-Middle East-Western Europe), and these cables are called SEA-ME-WE III and SEA-ME-IV undersea cables respectively. The Government had issued a separate licence for the installation of each undersea OFC.

Sources in the telecom sector are of the view that the existing three OFCs do not fully cater for the growing demands of internet usage in Pakistan and there should be at least five OFCs installed undersea.

The issuance of more licences for the deployment of undersea OFCs would encourage competition that would reduce the bandwidth tariffs eventually leading to the abolishing of monopoly of the few. "In telecom sector, every penny makes quite a difference. If new undersea optical fibre cables are installed and more telecom companies step in, it would reduce the tariff rates manifolds that would certainly facilitate everyone," sources mentioned.

The need for the deployment of more undersea OFCs in Pakistan was felt for the first time in 2005 when a ship-troller had damaged an undersea OFC resulting in the partial suspension of the internet services across the country. The then government had decided to install more OFCs considering rendency factor.

The deliberations between the telecommunication companies and the Government for the issuance of fourth undersea OFC licence have been underway lately but the alleged support of the aforementioned top government guru's son for the telecommunication cartel has landed the matter in abeyance.

When contacted, an official concerned of Ministry of Information Technology, requesting anonymity, argued that the prevailing scenario pertaining to undersea OFCs in Pakistan did not portray a monopolistic picture.

"I don't think there's any monopoly. There are three companies, including private sector, which own the OFCs in Pakistan," he said. The official refused to comment on the involvement of government functionary's son in this matter.

He expressed ignorance about the reported deliberations that had lately taken place between the Government and telecom companies for the issuance of fourth licence for deployment of undersea OFCs.