After successful auction of 3G and 4G spectrum yesterday, each and every mobile phone user is now waiting for the commercial launch of 3G services in the country.
The information ProPakistani received yesterday revealed that despite winning the spectrum, the commercial commencement of 3G service may take a week or two at most.
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority said that it will hold License Award ceremony after operators will pay their remaining license fee.
“15% of earnest money is already with the PTA, while remaining license fee will be settled with-in a week or so”, said Dr. Ismail Shah, Chairman PTA, in an interview with ProPakistani.
He said that after all the payments are settled, through consensus, PTA will set a date for the license award ceremony.
“After getting the license and NOC from PTA, mobile phone companies can start 3G services very same day”, confirmed us Chairman PTA.
As explained, this date for license award ceremony isn’t finalized yet as operators will have to clear their dues ahead of this ceremony. Just to add, mobile phone companies had maximum of 30 days to pay remaining license fee.
We will let our readers know the date once we have any word on this.
On a related note, mobile phone users won’t have to get new SIMs for availing 3G services. All current mobile phone users with their currently working SIMs will be able to use 3G services. Yes, a compatible handset is a must.
Meanwhile, mobile phone companies will continue to offer 3G services on trial bases to hard test their network and capacities.