If PTCL is Changing its Mood? to Retain Customers

A Press Release posted by APP claims that PTCL has revised it local call timing pulse of 2 minute to 3 minutes. Which means that the local call tariff on PTCL landline phones of PKR 2 for two minutes has been changed to PKR 2 for three minutes.This tariff will be in effect from July 1, 2008.

Press Release says that this improved package comes along with promotion that started on June 01, 2008 through which PTCL subscribers are already enjoying free local calls at night.

This move may relieve PTCL customers a bit, but they are not in good trends after getting tons of benefits from cellular companies.

The main discussion that i wanted to get into was if PTCL is now in a phase where it is worrying to acquire and retain its landline customers? The answer is, most probably yes they are! Well there is no doubt that all landline operators, globally, are facing tough competition from wireless communication providers. The scenario in Pakistan is not different, specially with the emergence of WiMAX broadband service providers coming into play, a landline number is not considered as a must have thing for high speed DSL.

After PTCL was acquired by Etisalat, the company failed to leave a positive impression through repetetive attacks on the consumers (Babar Bhatti has summed up the miseries of PTCL customers here). But we have been witnessing a change in company’s mood for last couple of months, as far as the consumers are concerned. This change reflects a thought that company is now trying to show/pretend a positive aptitude towards the customers.

PTCL management would also be eying their dropping revenues and increasing operating expenses. In such a situation, we may see couple of hefty moves from landline giant of Pakistan. Possible moves can be free landline call on a smooth but increased monthly rental.

In any case, they will have to carry their postitive business plans in future too, to relieve the customer and saving their revenues (without decieving custumers) at the same time as well.

[Graphs are carried from PTA‘s Quarterly Report for Jan-Mar 2008]