“Mobile broadband is yet to take off in Pakistan”
In July 2008, Dr Mohammed Yaseen was appointed as the chairman of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for a term of 4 years. In a successful professional career spanning almost 22 years, his core areas of expertise lie in the field of digital and voice communications, optical fiber transmission systems, fiber access networks, and broadband access. He has contributed in commissioning, operation, and maintenance of large international telecom networks, including SMW3 (Segment 2), Southern Cross (Australia, USA), I2I (India, Singapore). Yaseen discussed with VOICE&DATA PTA’S initiatives in improving the wireless broadband technologies in this region and how Pakistan should be considered a case apart in terms of technological development. Excerpts -
What is the current status of mobile broadband penetration in Pakistan?
PTA conducted a study on mobile internet in 2010, the results of which revealed that almost 7% of the mobile subscribers use GPRS/EDGE services on their cellular handsets. The mobile broadband is yet to take off in Pakistan, in this regard, 3G policy has been approved by the federal government. The authority plans to implement the 3G policy announced by the federal government in about 3 months, once it is communicated to the PTA.
What have been the major hindrances for its negligible growth in the country?
The biggest hindrance in the introduction of mobile broadband services was related to the pending launch of 3G mobile services in Pakistan, which is now approved and PTA will be implementing 3G policy in the next 3 months. All other factors such as availability of local content, affordable tariffs, public awareness, etc, are depen-
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dent upon the introduction of 3G mobile services in Pakistan.
How did the regulatory framework help in improving the broadband condition in Pakistan? Please throw some light on the move to push for a new regulatory framework.
Since mobile internet is delivered through GPRS/EDGE to the mobile subscribers in Pakistan; PTA issued GPRS/EDGE Service Quality of Service Standards Regulations, 2010 to ensure good quality internet services are provided to the subscribers. Also, PTA is playing a central role in a high-level committee formed by the Government of Pakistan to expedite the licensing of 3G services in Pakistan.
What according to you will help build the right mobile broadband ecosystem?
Number of factors are involved in building the right ecosystem for mobile broadband to take off. The 3 main stakeholders: The service providers, the enablers, and the end users need to be in complete harmony. Basically, we are focusing on a perfect ecosystem. In Pakistan, however, the loopholes include lack of awareness among users, content development, broadband enabled devices availability, costs, and most important, the 3G policy, which is still awaited.
Do you think cooperation from the other Saarc regulators could increase penetration in your country? If not, why and if yes, how?
As far as cooperation with the Saarc regulators is concerned, it has always been helpful while discussing telecom issues among similar economies. We learn from each other’s experiences and try to replicate in our country according to our requirements. Therefore I believe penetration increase would be just one more area that can be improved with discussing the local situation, especially the spectrum, among the Saarc regulators.
akankshas@cybermedia.co.in