‘Broadband to have positive impact on people’s socio-economic status’

[Naveed Yaseen]

KARACHI: Chairman Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Dr Mohammed Yaseen has said that broadband services have potential to revolt the means of information and communication in all spheres of life, impacting positively on the socio-economic status of the masses.

Speaking as a chief guest at Connect Conference 2009 on Wednesday, Dr Yaseen said the telecom regulator has taken a number of key initiatives for the upbringing of broadband with rapid pace in the country. He stressed the need to create awareness of technology in users for its speedy penetration that would widen the customers’ base and reduce the rate of services after emergence of quality conscious competitors.

“PTA is facilitating growth of various telecom services including broadband particularly new entrants like Telecard and Wi-tribe that are preparing to launch Wimax Broadband services in the market,” PTA chairman added.

Dr Yaseen said that PTA has also formed a Broadband Stakeholders Group to enhance industry coordination and the promotion of broadband services, urging operators also for effective awareness and marketing campaign in a move to attract new users. He reiterated the protection of sector’s consumers to be ensured in all possible ways by the authority particularly reduction in General Sales Tax and import duties on telephony services on priority. The watchdog is also working deliberately to revive the failing revenues by users that would also pave the way for the inflow of handsome foreign direct investment (FDI) in the telecom sector, he further said.

He also mentioned authority’s recent achievements of the sector including Mobile Number Portability having 0.4 million ported subscribers, new SIM verification system, AJ&K licencing, installation of 349 Rabta Ghar Rural Telephony, Grey Traffic Monitoring and provisioning of free dial-up services. Dr Yaseen said the socio-economic impact of telecommunication sector has been found encouraging by the regulator’s study whereas surveys on other various aspects of telecom sector are underway.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...2009_pg5_9