The bidding process pertaining to the renewal of telecom companies’ licenses, which is planned for May next year, is in danger of being delayed.
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has yet failed to finalize a framework for the renewal of licenses, reported Express Tribune. As a result, the previously planned bidding process will not proceed in May next year, it is feared.
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PTA had hired WRAP International to propose a framework for the renewal of cellular licenses of telecom companies through a transparent bidding process prescribed under the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules.
However, due to shift in government in July-August 2018, the process lingered and the study that’s deemed necessary for the renewal of licenses is still not prepared.
Now the Ministry of IT has sought the government’s nod to conduct the bidding for the renewal of licenses of telecom companies, going ahead without the framework.
The IT ministry is of the view that the study was delayed following a change in the government as well as issues that emerged during consultations with stakeholders. Therefore, the consultant is unlikely to conclude its study within the stipulated time frame.
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Background
PTA had given licenses to telecom companies including Telenor, Warid and Zong for 15 years and these were going to expire on May 25, 2019. Under PPRA rules, the PTA is bound to conduct a study to establish a policy framework for bidding for the renewal of telecom companies’ licenses.
However, due to delay in preparation of study, it is unlikely to be completed in April 2019. Prime Minister Imran Khan had also constituted a committee tasked with overseeing the process of renewal of licenses and ensure its timely completion. The committee noted that consultation work on the part of the consultant could not be completed before April 2019.
The licenses are due to be renewed by May 25, 2019 for the three companies.
In a recent meeting of the cabinet, the Ministry of Information Technology had presented a summary seeking renewal of licenses of telecom companies without conducting a study, but the cabinet deferred the consideration of the summary.
Via: Tribune
Dealy By PTA & Why Telecom companies are in danger ? Kiya Network Band Ho Jayega ?
A conspiracy theory:
The telecom companies wanted to delay the auction so that they can buy some more time to shift their customer to 3G or 4G. This would allow them to avoid the renewal of 2G license.
Agree , lekin kisi b operator ny 2G ko shutdown krny ka announce nhi kia abi tak !
I doubt it. Large stretches of their network are still 2G-only
except urban areas all Pakistan is 2G only.
Zong ny buhat coverage de ha me khud b heran hoon , jazz ke urban k ilawasab jagha 2G ha aor Telenor aor specially Zong ke 3G , 4G ke coverage rural areas mein b available ha ab , me aksar visit krta hoon Lahore say Bahawalpur tak , Jazz 10% and Telenor 70 % and Zong 90 % (3G,4G)
90 percent hai … but you know it it is not all, only roads have some coverage areas otherwise the rest is dull
no telecom company is bound to shift customers on 3G or 4G
Bhai i travell alot in south punjab rural areas and also upper punjab. I can tell you zong 4g is available in rural areas 100%… my cell hardly fall back to 3g. I havent seen 2g from a long long time . 2g is a thing of past for zong.
Where as i use jazz too. Jazz has improved a lot in last 6 months . There 4g coverage is getting wide . Now i see mostly 4g /3g for jazz. And at some places it show edge too. At this pace jazz may also be in a position to dump 2g very soon.
Dump…. Well that’s not happening. The reason is that they didn’t paid the fee to reuse the 2g or 3g spectrum into 4g one.
Dont Expect k 35+ % LoG 2G Mobile Use krty hain so There is no Chance for 2G to be Closed for a Decade yet
WRAP International must be owned by some PMLN guy then