Telecom sector attracts huge foreign investments

[LRE]

Long distance and international operators have made huge investment in optical fiber, system up-gradation and installation of other communications equipment, said PTA chairman Dr Mohammad Yaseen. - APP/File photo

KARACHI: The telecommunications sector attracted an investment of about $9 billion in the last three years.

This was stated by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority chairman Dr Mohammad Yaseen while speaking at the inaugural session of 4th connect conference 2009 at Karachi Expo Centre here on Wednesday.

Long distance and international operators have made huge investment in optical fiber, system up-gradation and installation of other communications equipment, he said.

He said that the companies, like Multi-net, Wateen and Link Direct, have installed almost 15,000 km long optical fiber between Karachi and Peshawar.

If the optical fiber of PTCL is included, the total length of optical fiber will reach 30,000 to 40,000 kms, he noted.

Talking about measures to check quality of service, Dr Yaseen pointed out that the PTA has installed state-of-the-art equipment for this purpose.

‘We are carrying out a survey to assess the quality of Internet service providers on a daily basis, and on the basis of our findings, we are suggesting them about corrective measures,’ he said.

Dr Yaseen pointed out that billions of rupees have been collected by USF Company for laying network lines by the operators.

Under the agreement, all telecom operators are required to deposit 1 to 1.5 per cent of their revenue minus expenses with USF Company.

This company provides a subsidy from this amount to telecom service operators for laying a broad band network to unconnected areas in the country, he added.

So far, two districts, including Faisalabad, have been provided broad band facility while Multan would also be connected soon, he said. The PTA chairman said that the number of mobile phone subscribers has increased from five million in 2004 to 91 million in 2009 and fixed line users have grown from 3.7 million in 2004 to 4.5 million in 2009.—APP

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