PTA’s new Decision to Promote Mobile Banking

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has decided to make a group of representatives from mobile operator companies as well as from banking sector to promote mobile banking. This decision was taken in a meeting held in PTA Headquarters in which senior executives of mobile operators, banks and PTA were present.
In this meeting, MCB made presentation on mobile banking in Pakistan. Different mobile banking models were discussed during the meeting. “Mobile banking was a value addition and had utmost consumer convenience wherein users could avail banking facilities through mobile communication. He said that already two conferences on mobile banking had been held and another would be held in Karachi in March 2009”, said Dr Mohammed Yaseen-Chairman PTA.

Telenor Group Bears Decreased Profits

Norway based, Telenor Group has reported a slide in fourth-quarter profits to NOK 2.21 billion (US$330 million), from NOK 7.63 billion (US$1.13 billion) a year earlier. The decline was due to one-off gains in 2007 no longer appearing on the accounts. Sales rose 11 percent to NOK 26.36 billion (US$3.393 billion).
“The overall trends seen in the third quarter continued into the fourth quarter with stable organic revenue growth combined with strong margins in several operations, particularly in Serbia and Bangladesh as well as a rebound in Pakistan. During the quarter, our operations added 5.5 million mobile subscriptions, reaching a total of 164 million,” said President and CEO of Telenor, Jon Fredrik Baksaas.
The capex level in the quarter was high, mainly due to completion of major projects and network roll-out in Asia, as well as investments in the Nordic region related to successful market uptake of mobile broadband. The telecom sector has so far been less affected by the global economic slowdown than other industries; however we expect a more challenging business environment going forward. As a result, the focus in 2009 will be on cost efficiency and capex control,” Baksaas said.
President re-confirmed that Telenor’s investment in India would be paid through debt and reserves, first of its kind practice by Telenor.
Telenor’s performance in Pakistan is seen positive, with a slight increase in ARPU that remained Rs. 228 compared to Rs. 214 in last quarter.Pakistan in total added 916,000 subscribers during the quarter, while the estimated subscription market share remained stable at 21%. Total revenues increased by 20% mainly due to a subscription growth of approximately 5 million during 2008.

Telenor Pakistan’s Capital expenditure increased due to high investments in network quality and capacity. Large network roll-out deliveries were completed during the fourth quarter.

Now Nursery to FSC Education gonna take 60 Days only!

I want to share this picture, which claims that every kid happens to be intelligent by nature; hence they are offering such a miraculous tuition course that you can go through from Nursery to FSC in just 60 days…!


If we think, this is possible than we must see this place and let’s not waste 12 to 14 years – but if you think this is wrong, then we must stop this guy advertising his academy with false claims. He can be sued for this, and I am sure there would be many innocents spotted by him with this campaign.
Worst of all, this AD is for a tuition academy of Islamabad, imagine if all this is going on in Capital, how bad the situation can be in far flung areas of the country.

PTCL Revenues Likely to Increase by 9 Percent

Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) is likely to see increases year on year (YoY) outstanding revenues by 9 percent, said a report published by “The Nation”
Paper termed anticipated surge in international revenues of the company as major factor for increase in revenues. Though, PTCL’s whole sale revenues are expected to drop down due to growing participation (competition) of telecom operators in various segments of telecommunication industry, such as LDI (Long Distance & International) LL (Local Loop), WLL (Wireless Local Loop) and FLL (Fixed Local Loop).
It is expected that PTCL will lose revenues (compared to previous year) in fixed telephony, due to decrement in subscriber base. At the same time, WLL has also lacked the momentum that it saw previous year; while on other hand, international revenues are expected to increase due to increase in incoming international traffic, increased APC and depreciated Pak rupees. Additionally, Ufone’s subscribers touched a level of 19.3 million in December 08, grew by 7 percent in 1HFY09, far better than the 2 percent increase in total cellular subscribers in the same period.
However, declining trend in ARPU (average revenue per user) remains the chief concern for Ufone as the total cellular subscribers for FY09 are expected to be 90.2 million, with Ufone’s at 20.3 million. Ufone’s ARPU is expected to settle at USD 1.56 (down 31 percent YoY in USD terms and 10 percent YoY in PKR terms).
Via [The Nation]

Time for Fraud Controls System

Yesterday, we discusses on how mobile phone users can secure themselves from unknown calls/SMS. It is pertinent to mention that cellular companies should also come forward with foolproof system to cap such sort of illegal activities. There are increasing amount of reported incidents where people use mobile phones to generate black money in form of fraudulent lottery scams, SMS based balance transfers and other similar things. Today, I will discuss what types of mobile frauds we can come across in our daily lives.

• USSD (Short code based Business cards) and balance transfers
• SMS based frauds
• Sympathetic SMS messages / E-Begging
• Cloned Mobile numbers
• Fake Lottery Systems

USSD (Short code based Business cards) and balance transfers:
The USSD (short code based business cards) and balance transfers are very come these days, in which victim party gets a message of accepting business card from particular mobile number. Victim normally does not understand the implications and the purpose of the transfer and hence results in to balance transfer of certain amount. The main technique involved in this type of fraud is embedded code in the business card message. These frauds use SMS based balance transfer facilities offered from mobile operators.
SMS based Frauds:
SMS based frauds are somewhat similar to USSD frauds, in which victim receives SMS that if he/she diala number given in SMS (normally a balance transfer code) than he/she may get a prize, double balance or similar. The nutshell of this fraud is balance transfer.
Criminals use bulk SMS sending software to send their SMS to a huge amount of mobile phone subscribers, out of which their success ratio is higher in urban areas.
Sympathetic SMS messages or E-Begging:
These messages contain sympathetic text like “I am in hospital and my mom is under serious condition, please send me Rs. 10 balance”. “E-Begging” will be a good term for such activities. It is a matter of fact that people use it for getting their balance filled without spending any money.
Cloned Mobile Numbers:
Now, matter of fact is that if someone try to trace fraudulent(s) , the mobile number mostly are cloned with SIM cloning technologies; and this is not it , it could be even used for serious crimes as well.
Fake Lottery Systems:
Fake lottery systems are again common in Pakistan, like customers get call that they have won a Car, cash prize or both. As money attracts; most of the customers opt for offers like provide us Rs.1000/- balance card no and we will send you prize and etc. The latest news about these systems is that, now these frauds are common with overseas Pakistanis.
Role of PTA:
PTA has initiated lot of steps to cater these issues like publishing advertisements and informing masses about these frauds. But we see no major difference in slowdown in such activities.
Operators can invest in SPAM filtering solutions, similar to what email providers do with SPAM emails, in order to track bulk amount of SMS traffic originating from a specific number. 789 will of course do wonders in bringing down these illegal activities, but PTA should come up with solid policies for balance transfer methodologies and SPAM filtering process for cellular companies.

USB Gadgets in Pakistan

USB (Universal Serial Bus) is the term that was originated back in 90’s, when computer manufacturers realized its importance as an external source for inputting data with high transfer rates.
As USB is best and fastest available external port, which does not require any special installation or knowledge, but its plug and start playing attribute gave USB a token that no other computer port ever got. Realizing that fact, USB has become a major industry for manufacturing computer gadgets especially in PNP mode.Let me share some of cool gadgets that are available online and even in Pakistan.

• USB Coffee Cup Warmers
• USB mini refrigerator / warmers
• USB Toaster
• USB light lamps
• USB cooling fans
• USB ashtray
• USB Fragrance Dispenser

Usb Coffee Cup Warmers:
The usb coffee cup warmer is basically round shaped plate of steel covered with insulated material around and it can prevent coffee or tea cup to get cold and it keeps tea/coffee hot on a certain temperature. The USB coffee cup warmer is easily available in major cities like Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad at Rs. 200 /- only. Even you can buy it online from mypcpk.com. But please make sure that u must have flat surface cup to keep it warm for longer period of time.
USB mini refrigerator / warmers:
The usb mini refrigerator / warmers do the both things; it can cool your water or boil your tea. It is available allover Pakistan @ Rs. 700/-
USB Toaster:
USB toaster does exactly the same as toast cooker. It can be very handy while in office or during traveling with your laptop. It is also available all over Pakistan @ Rs. 1200/-
USB Light Lamps:
The usb light lamps are 6 to 8 high light LED lamp, which are as powerful as one 25 W savor light. It is available in Pakistan @ Rs. 500/-
USB Cooling fans:
One USB cooling fan is enough for one person using laptop and remaining itself cool even in high temperature. It is available in Pakistan @ Rs. 600/-
USB Ashtray:
Say No to smoke while using USB Ashtray you can preserve its smoke in ashtray as room will remain clean - it and it work as stub –collector. It is available in Pakistan @ Rs. 1200/-
USB fragrance Dispenser:
It is auto air freshener for atmosphere around you. You can set the time for fragrance dispersion and it will automatically fill the atmosphere with pleasant fragrances. I don’t know it is available in Pakistan or not.
Well, there are lots of other usb gadgets available all over the world, and the good thing is they are making our lives easy while we are on the go.
Where to Buy These Gadgets?
Mega Electronics, College Road, Rawalpindi
www.mypcpk.com (Website is not updated, but this is a Hafeez Center, Lahore based store, Call 042-750-2857 For Details)
Computer Stores in your City (Especially in Major cities of Pakistan)

An Open Letter to Chairman PTA

Honourable Chairman,
Pakistan Telecommunications Authority

Issue: Charging 5% on Recharge by all Mobile Companies

I would like to take this issue into your kind consideration that for the last few months, to be exact from August 2008, all mobile operators have been charging 5 % extra charges on recharging the balance. I would like to mention following points which are showing that these charges are against all the rules and regulation and make no sense;

• When all the mobile operators are reducing call rates there is no sense of charging 5 % without giving any reason to the consumer. We still see no further hiring for call centers or network expansion that could really better their service, as they had claimed.
• In all the businesses and transactions when you are paying any amount to any one, none has to pay penalty for that payment rather relief has been provided to customers throughout the world. Does this 5% extra charges make any sense.
• After deduction of 31 % taxes (10% with holding tax and 21 % General Sales Tax) all the money goes in to the account of the operators then why this 5 % charges being deducted on recharge. Are they now paying this 5% amount to any powerful personality?
• We have near 8 crore mobile customers in Pakistan. If we assume that 1 crore of them recharge their account, then it amounts over 100 crore recharge on daily basis. If we calculate 5% this extra deduction, it is estimated that 5 crore are being collected illegally. Why this 5 crore is being looted from innocent customers

Dear Sir, I would like to make this case a history in the consumer right protection. Your Excellency, it is a matter of make or break. We have to stand up against all the forces which are killing the customer’s right with out any fear and discrimination.
Your decision in this case will be, definitely a wining situation of the consumers and build trust on our system of justice.
Me, and other 90 millions are waiting for your kind decision.
Yours truly,
0322-5088031

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