Mobilink Foundation to Get SMS, Online Donations: ProPakistani

Mobilink Foundation to Get SMS, Online Donations
PTCL Nitro Launch Event [Pictures]
PTCL Introduces New Landline Packages
Norwegian Minister Visits Easypaisa Outlet

Mobilink Foundation to Get SMS, Online Donations

Posted: 23 Nov 2010 01:57 PM PST

Mobilink Foundation to Get SMS, Online Donations is a post from: ProPakistani

Orascom Telecom, the parent company of Mobilink and Obopay, the mobile money solutions pioneer, have partnered to establish a text-to-donate relief effort in the United States to provide continuing funds to Pakistan in order to rebuild both the infrastructure and the lives of those affected by recent floods.

Where text-to-donate programs following the disaster in Haiti typically took 90 to 180 days to reach the right resources in the country, this new offering can provide much more rapid funding to the cause.

"There is always an immediate sympathetic and monetary reaction when disasters like this occur," said Naguib Sawiris, Executive Chairman of OTH, which operates in Pakistan as Mobilink. "However, the tremendous suffering, and the need for aid, continues for months after the initial tragedy. We want to make sure that funds continue to flow until the job is done. This becomes equally, if not more, important," he added. "The aftermath can end up taking as many lives as the initial disaster if action is not continued to restore the infrastructure – providing food, water and a renewed means of earning a living. And that is a huge undertaking. By employing Obopay’s ‘Text-to-Donate’ solution, individuals can provide truly meaningful donations which are delivered rapidly."

Obopay’s Text-to-Donate service has technology similar to what was used to spur donations to the Haitian earthquake relief last year. One key difference, however, is that by making the credit or debit card and the bank account the source of funding for the text rather than the telecom bill, Obopay’s Text-to-Donate enables donors to contribute much larger amounts, as opposed to the $5 and $10 limits allowed through telecommunications companies. The money can also be put to use by relief organizations quickly.

"When a catastrophe like this strikes, getting the proper amount of funds to the region saves lives," said Obopay Founder and CEO Carol Realini. "The sooner funds get in the proper hands, the sooner they can restore some semblance of order to people’s lives, not to mention fight the spread of disease and shortages of food and clean water. We are proud to be able to provide our services to Mobilink Foundation, to further scale their efforts in meeting the relief and rehabilitation needs of the people across Pakistan."

It is estimated that the damage from the floods, which over the past month have affected more than 20 million residents of Pakistan and have killed more than 2,000, is bigger than the 2004 Tsunami, 2005 Kashmir Earthquake and the 2010 Haiti Earthquake combined.

How to Donate (for Subscribers in USA)

To donate through the OTH-Obopay Text-to-Donate offering, people in the US are asked to text the keyword, "PAKISTAN" to the shortcode 48510.

Texters then receive a return text message that includes a link to a mobile internet checkout page where they can elect to pay by debit card or by entering a phone number and PIN.

The funds are then automatically deposited in Mobilink Foundation’s account, giving them fast access to the money to build much needed homes and shelters.

The Foundation also procures packs of dry food ration (each unit sufficient for two weeks for a family of seven), hygiene kits (sufficient for one month for a family of seven) and non-food item packs containing kitchen utensils, mats, water coolers, bedding (non-perishable pack for a family of seven) and aims to support affectees in the rebuilding process and facilitate livelihood opportunities post repatriation.

PTCL Nitro Launch Event [Pictures]

Posted: 23 Nov 2010 11:12 AM PST

PTCL Nitro Launch Event [Pictures] is a post from: ProPakistani

PTCL marked the launch of its EVO Nitro 9.3 wireless broadband with a musical evening in Islamabad on November 6^th, 2010, where Ali Azmat, Fakhir and Nighat Chudry rocked the audience.

PTCL's top level management along with families and guests attended the event.

Following is the pictorial coverage of Nitro's Launch Event

PTCL Introduces New Landline Packages

Posted: 23 Nov 2010 03:22 AM PST

PTCL Introduces New Landline Packages is a post from: ProPakistani

PTCL today launched four new landline packages aimed at customers with different telephony needs.

All packages come with with on-net minutes bundles and a monthly charge, however, if opted PTCL won't be charging any line rent from subscribers.

Basic Budget (For Low end Users)

Package charges: of Rs. 249 per month
Free minutes : 200 On-Net minutes
Line rent: Zero
Package type: Opt In
Subscription: 1^st of next month

Budget Plus (For Low to Medium Users)

Package charges: of Rs. 399 per month
Free minutes : 400 On-Net minutes
Line rent: Zero
Package type: Opt In
Subscription: 1^st of next month

Family Budget (For Medium to High Users)

Package charges: of Rs. 699 per month
Free minutes : 750 On-Net minutes
Line rent: Zero
Package type: Opt In
Subscription: 1^st of next month

Business Budget (For Business / Commercial users)

Package charges: of Rs. 1,999 per month
Free minutes : 3,000 On-Net minutes
Line rent: Zero
Package type: Opt In
Subscription: 1^st of next month

Norwegian Minister Visits Easypaisa Outlet

Posted: 22 Nov 2010 08:40 PM PST

Norwegian Minister Visits Easypaisa Outlet is a post from: ProPakistani

(R – L):Ambassador of Norway Robert Kvile, Norwegian Minister for Environment and International Development Erik Solheim, Chief Strategy Officer & VP Corporate Affairs Telenor Pakistan Aamir Ibrahim, and Director Corporate Communications & Responsibility Telenor Pakistan Anjum Rahman

The Norwegian Minister for Environment and International Development Erik Solheim visited a Telenor Pakistan easypaisa retail outlet at a local market today.

He was accompanied by Norwegian Ambassador to Pakistan Robert Kvile and Chief Strategy Officer & VP Corporate Affairs Telenor Pakistan Aamir Ibrahim. The minister is in Pakistan to see ongoing flood relief and rehabilitation activities. Norway has contributed 400 million Norwegian Kroners (USD67 million) for Pakistan’s flood affected.

Talking to the media the minister appreciated Telenor Pakistan’s contribution to the flood relief activities. “I am happy to see that Telenor is actively contributing to social causes in Pakistan. The Norwegian government and people of Norway will always stand beside our Pakistani friends in their hour of need.”

Telenor Pakistan’s Aamir Ibrahim speaking on the occasion said: “Branchless banking solutions like easypaisa can not only address the lack of financial inclusion in Pakistan but can also potentially help generate and disburse funds to the disaster affected people.”

Easypaisa, launched in October 2009, aims to offer financial inclusion to Pakistan’s population, a large majority of which is currently unserved. The recently launched easypaisa Donation Service was used to collect funds for the flood affected people.

Easypaisa is available in 700 locations across Pakistan. With 11,000 agents, 1 million transactions a month, and Rs 10 billion worth of transaction since launch, the service is helping to provide people with much needed financial services.