Archives

Key Initiatives and Achievements




Key Strengths as a Regulatory Organization




Orders and Regulations of the PTA 




Best practices followed by PTA




Issues and Challenges expected




Other Issues and Problems




Chairman of PTA

Key Initiatives and Achievements

The key initiatives and achievements of PTA are as follows:

• PTA was established in 1996 to regulate the telecom sector of Pakistan with the powers to issue the licenses and monitor the performance of the licensees. The major achievement of PTA was implementation of liberalization policy which has changed altogether the landscape of telecom sector in Pakistan. PTA succeeded in attracting the leading foreign firms to invest in Pakistan. PTA offered various incentives to the operators in terms of fee reduction and relief in taxes, which is continuous till today. The initiatives include introduction of CPP regime in 2001 which boosted the growth of cellular mobile phone industry of the country, simplification of type approval procedure, implementation of MNP, technical solution to avoid illegal traffic termination, shift from 7 to 8 digit numbering plan, simplification of VAS licenses, launch of rural telephony project, implementation of RIO, implementation of limited mobility on WLL networks, quick resolution of disputes by the regulator etc. We believe that there should be a minimum regulation by the government and sector should move towards self-regulations.



• We are very proud that PTA initiatives in last few years have yielded fruits and Pakistan telecom sector has emerged as one of the fastest growing sector in the region. This growth can be gauged in terms of tele-density, subscribers and revenues. Today we are adding 2.2 million subscribers on average per month on cellular mobile networks. Few years back, we were behind many regional countries in terms of tele-density, today tele-density in Pakistan is crossing 60% mark. Moreover, the tariffs of the services in Pakistan are the lowest in South Asia where consumers can call to USA, UK and other destination with just Rs.0.99 per minutes and consumers are benefiting out of it socially and economically. Apart from consumer, government is receiving huge revenues in terms of taxes where last year government received over Rs.100 billion and this year it is expected to raise by Rs.115 billion. Telecom sector has emerged as one of the largest FDI recipient sector in the country where about one forth FDI of total FDI in the country is landing in this sector. Sector has produced large employment opportunities and more than one million families are attached with this sector.







Key Strengths as a Regulatory Organization

Well, as a regulator first and foremost strength is of its high skilled human resource, which we have gathered locally and abroad. Independence of regulator is another strength that has enabled us to implement the policies in their true letter and spirit. To keep the stakeholders update on various developments taking place in the telecom sector, we collect information from all operators and update our website regularly. All important decisions are taken with consensus of the authority members after due consultation with stakeholders. Every year we set out targets for next year and regularly review our progress, which is an internal accountability of our team at PTA.







Orders and Regulations of the PTA

During last few years, PTA has issued important determinations on various issues. Similarly regulations have been prepared to regulate different services.


Regulations

• Pakistan Telecom Rules 2000
• Access Promotion Contribution Rules 2004
• Type Approval Regulations 2004
• Fixed Line Tariff Regulations 2004
• Interconnection Dispute Resolution Regulations 2004
• Access Promotion Contribution Regulations 2005
• PTA (Functions & Powers) Regulations 2006
• Accounting Separation Regulation 2007
• Class Value Added Service (CVAS) Licensing & Registration Regulations 2007
• Regulations on Protective installation of Radio Base Station Antennas for Securing Public Health and Safety, 2007



Determinations

• Determination on Cost-based Interconnection Charges for Fixed-line and Mobile Operators
• Guidelines on Costing Methodologies for Accounting Separation
• Type Approval Regulations 2004
• Determination on PTCL's Bandwidth Tariffs
• Approval of PTCL's RIO for Fixed-line and Cellular Mobile Operators
• Approval of Mobilink (PMCL) RIO
• Determination on Carrier Selection Issues between PTCL and LDI Operators
• Determination on Dispute between PTCL & LDI operators regarding Origination Charges on “Non Revenue Time” of Calling Card Traffic




Best practices followed by PTA

In our view the best practice that can be followed by our peer countries in the region are the simplification of procedures and reduce hurdles for the development of the sector. In Pakistan we have simplified VAS licenses where most of these services have been lumped into two licenses i.e., Data and Voice while other services have been exempted from licenses and require only registration to start the business. Similarly, we have also simplified out type approval procedures and most of the equipments approved by any international authority is considered as type approved in Pakistan. Moreover, we develop relevant rules and regulation well in time and try to implement this regulation very strictly for providing level playing field for the operators and service providers.





Issues and Challenges expected

The most thriving challenge faced by PTA is the low penetration of broadband services in Pakistan. We are taking measures to facilitate this sector. Recently we have slashed down the bandwidth prices and encouraging the wireless based service operators to initiate their services. Introduction of 3G licenses is another challenge for which the process is in hand. Low penetration in rural areas is another challenge where we are trying to bridge this digital divide. We have created a USF, which is being used to provide facilities in un-served and under-served areas. We are also targeting directly these areas through out rural telephony project where we are installing community bases telecom facilities.





Other Issues and Problems

Reference to SAFIR region countries, I believe the high charges among the South Asia region is the major problem that needs to be addressed among the South Asian countries so that our people can communicate easily and it may give impetus to our regional trade. Regulation of NGN and introduction of unified licensing regime are other aspects on which SAFIR countries can help each others.





Chairman of PTA

Dr. Mohammed Yaseen,  Chairman, PTA

Dr. Mohammed Yaseen was appointed Chairman, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on 23 July 2008. He obtained his Engineering degree in Electronics in 1987 from the NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, Pakistan. He completed his Ph.D. with specialization in Telecommunication Systems in 1992 from University of Essex, England. Dr. Mohammed Yaseen has worked in the following positions:- Senior Research Officer in the University of Essex England Director Strategy in Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) System and Project Engineer in Alcatel Submarine Networks, Australia Senior Consultant in Advanced Networks and Systems, Australia Member (Technical) PTA from 26 Sept 2005 to 22 July 2008 He has 30 International and National publications on Telecom technologies, ICT growth, Strategies and design of telecom networks on his credit Dr. Yaseen has represented Pakistan at various International and National forums.