Cellular companies operating in country have not contacted/submitted a single request for any research and development project to National ICT R&D fund, as told by top level sources at R&D fund.
This shows that large scale research and development is not happening at all at cellular companies, despite the fact that there high demand is always there for research and development at different level of telecom cycle.
Industry sources agreed that cellular companies operating in Pakistan usually invest on out-sourced research reports and solutions, and there is no in-house or government funded research work being done in local telecom industry.
It merits mentioning here that all cellular companies give 0.5 percent of their annual revenues to R&D fund.
As per estimates, a total of Rs. 350 million has been spent by R&D (since its inception – 3 years ago) on different projects.
Cellular companies must encourage local universities in carrying research and development for their needs/requirements, while getting the funds from Government of Pakistan. Local talent should be used to invent new telecom technologies or for enhancing the available channels.