Seemingly opposition party, namely PML(N), was shaken by a sudden news that Pakistan is auctioning three 3G licenses on March 29th, 2012 at a base price of USD 210 million for one license.
Apparently, they weren’t aware of the development and knew of it only after PTA advertised the auction dates and information memorandum for 3G auctioning.
As we reported last week, senators from PML(N) are opposing the auction, terming it a loot sale, meaning that the base price for 3G license is too low. They also fear of corruption during the auction and hence want to stop it for good. Senators in fact related 3G auction with PTCL’s privatization and doubted that it could turn into another financial scandal.
To put the fact straight, opposition has every right of arguing the procedures, price, terms and anything involved with the license auctioning, but not at this point of time. How great it could be if they have had discussed this earlier, maybe six months ago, or say year ago, even two years ahead of now.
Opposition party is maybe not aware of fact that 3G policy was in the making for last few years, and it followed all necessary procedures to get passed out from Ministry of Information Technology, federal cabinet, Prime minister and was at last given into hands of PTA for execution.
Just for records, after last week’s opposition for 3G by senators, the matter was sent to National Assembly’s standing committee on Information Technology and Telecom, which had its meeting yesterday.
It was yesterday when committee unveiled that its recommendations were not incorporated in 3G policy. Chairman of committee (a PMLN leader) actually believes that India also introduced 3G policy but some kick backs were reported and the same wrong-practices are expected in Pakistan.
Let me clear this point again, this NA committee and all other concerned senators are so right about questioning the government about 3G policy and auction procedures – but why now? When every thing is ready in a plate to be served finally?
They should… Instead of 3G license only,they also giving 4G & LTE,why???
As far as the base price is concerned it is justified.
The ignorant debators need to know that the standard and fair measure to determine the base price is “per megahertz per year”.
3G band license being a 10MHz band and not 13.xMHz as for 2G, the base price comes to the same. :)
I would say, its high for those operators who bought (renewed) spectrum license 3-5 years ago for minimum of 291 million dollars.
what is 3G license fee in india? I myself was thinking that US 210 M is very low for 3G license…
I think the more important question here is that, does it mean the auction has been paused, or will it continue as planned?
Depends on how noisy they can get…
I feels sorry on the mentality of these people…Already it is very last in rolling out 3G/4G/LTE network and these people are putting new hurdles in finalizing it.
Honestly speaking, even this base price is not small amount. They should understand that braodband prices are quite low in Pakistan (I think the lowest in World) and in such situation Telecom companies can not offer 3G services at higher rates. On other side, rate of return will be less after paying huge money for getting license.
Anyways, lets see what happens next but I must admit today that Musharraf government at least gave real growth to Telecom, Banking and Higher Education sectors. All 3 starts going down after so called democratic government. I am not a fan of Musharraf but I admits his few good works.
Regards,
Saleem
Good Things should be acknowledge and appreciated! No matter Musharraf or Zardari do!
I am thinking that it would be Imran Khan who will bring 3G to Pakistan.
PML-N at one side giving away free laptops to students and on the other they are going to oppose the 3G in Pakistan.
I saw a discussion on 3g license in Capital Talk and F****** pml n leader Pervaiz Rasheed said G3 instead on 3G and now that f***** thinks he knows about technology and its procedures how lame.
Here is the link to that show http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUH6vrHbrko&feature=player_embedded#at=505
and as you you r Amir you ask ???
Let me clear this point again, this NA committee and all other concerned senators are so right about questioning the government about 3G policy and auction procedures – but why now? When every thing is ready in a plate to be served finally?
Bcoz they need their plate to be filled before dish get served.
Nothing is gona happen in this country….Just keep doing Talk Shows and arguments for the sake of arguments.
No other country discusses Politics as our country media and common public do. For God sake, let things move forward and adopt international trends in Technology and Media. otherwise world will crush us under their feet and we will be dying n begging.
PTA must go ahead and give Licenses of 3G (now even it is obsolete in world and moving to LTE) so public can use SMART PHONES and IT Gadgets in loadshedded country PAKISTAN.
like.
well its time for 4g and we still are discussing 3g this is not good …
Opposition is just playing with the people of pakistan same as the govt. I totally agree with the writer that where were they 2 years back or 1 year back? why they did not raise any flags then? now when everything is getting ready to be rolled out they are trying to make some “politics” out of it. now i don’t care if there is gonna be kick backs in it or not cuz now i just want the damn thing in my HANDS… no more waiting for me.
Durrr Fittay Mun to the opposition
those who are opposing the stand pmln need to take a look at what has happened today in india. 122 telecom licenses/permits being cancelled because of corruption in such permits. So we must also be very cautious. It is rightful for opposition to point it out. Otherwise, what wonders have the government done in other departments will reflect in this auction as well. If a senator cannot state the term correctly, it doesn’t mean that he and his party should be oblivious of gross corrupt practices of this government!!!