The Federal Cabinet is likely to approve the policy for renewal of cellular mobile licensees on Tuesday. Prime Minister Imran Khan will preside over the cabinet meeting to consider a 19-point agenda.
The body will also consider an agenda, “Policy Directive under Section 8 of the Pakistan Telecommunications (Re-Organization) Act 1996for renewal of cellular mobile licenses in 2019”, submitted by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication.
Talking to media on Monday, Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, said that the government will unveil the license renewal policy for mobile operators to provide a level playing field, besides attracting investment in the country.
“A meeting was held with Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday where policy for mobile license renewal was discussed, which would be unveiled in coming days to ensure level playing field and attract investment in the country”, said Siddiqui while talking to media persons.
License renewal of two mobile operators is due in early May 2019 and the other one is in October. Sources said that the government is likely to maintain the price of $291 million for 10 MHz block in 1800 MHz band and $395 million for 10MHz block in 850MHz band. The payment terms are also expected to remain the same as in the previous auction.
However, the quality/standards might be revised as per the best international practices, sources maintained.
so they will shift to 4G or keep the service at 2G?
This will be a major disaster if the prices are mantained based on previous agreements. You have to take into account the PKR – USD conversion rate which has gone whopping 140 + and predictions for May are 150+. These companies are earning in PKR and not USD, over the period of time with the increase in dollar price the return to investers /shareholders has decreased already and now this huge payment will add alot of burden on these organizations but also result in several (hundreds of layoffs). Sanity should prevail
Gsma say help ly k aor mobile operators say meeting kr k done krty hein auctions, ta k operators ko problem na ho !
Zabardasti nhi krty
Aor na he zabardast sale krty hein,
Jb USD 100 PKR pay tha tab 115 million customers thy ab 160 million , asal mein 4 companies ke zarorat he nhi sirf 2 ke ha. Jis jagha 2 towers hony chahiy wahan 4 hein to cost to phir ay ge , layoff ratio technical staff mein kam ha aor management mein zaiada ha ,