Telenor Pakistan and Jazz have decided to pay a major portion of their license renewal fee while protesting against the unjust license renewal price, sources have confirmed.
Jazz will be paying around USD 291 Million while Telenor Pakistan will voluntarily pay USD 224.6 million under protest to safeguard the interest of its valued customers.
PTA had set the license renewal fee of USD 450 million for both the operators. Which, as per both the operators, is much higher than the original fee the companies had paid 15 years ago.
PTA, in a letter sent to both the operators, had asked them to clear the payments before August 21st, 2019 to avoid license suspension.
According to sources, Jazz will be paying USD 291 million as its obligation towards the license and to get the national exchequer rolling.
Telenor has stated that while it’s not in agreement with the license renewal fee, it’s clearing a major portion of the due payment in protest.
“In order to reaffirm its commitment to the country, Telenor Pakistan, while preserving its legal rights, has offered to make a substantial payment of USD 224.6 million to the government to ensure continuity of services and preserve rights of over 44 million valued customers”, said a statement issued by the company moments ago.
The GSM licenses of Telenor Pakistan and Jazz, which were to be renewed by 25 May 2019, had been delayed by PTA and faced further delays due to higher demands on pricing and rollout obligations, which could significantly distort the competitive landscape in the industry, according to the telecom operators.
“Telenor Pakistan has been very keen towards the timely renewal of its telecom license and, in the past two years, tried its utmost towards a fair and transparent outcome. The company’s efforts in this regard sought to not only provide seamless telecom and digital services to the people of Pakistan but also contribute to the national exchequer”, said the company.
Jazz made the decision to pay USD 291 million to keep its services up and running for over 60 million customers. “Despite major differences, the decision from Jazz to pay license fee is backed by the company’s commitment to Pakistan”, said an official of the company who wanted to remain unnamed.
Telenor Pakistan, on the other hands, said that it will continue to pursue its legal case to fully protect its rights available under law to have a final resolution on the matter.
The company remains hopeful for a fair outcome and looks forward to the government and PTA to fulfill their commitment to ensure fair competition and forward-looking policies and regulations.
مال چھاپی جاو ملک کو کچھ نا دو
They are not helping our economy. Infact they earn from our pockets. They are not doing any kind of favor to our country. They should pay license fee which is set by government. (kaya mjhe 15 saal puranay rate par aj k dor my makan mil skta hai????)
they want to pay the same amount as 15 years ago?what a joke.
The government is demanding payment in USD (while we charge PKR from our customers). Assuming the same amount in USD, it has more than doubled in PKR.
Simple Q Nahi Kehte PTA : Aj K Hisaab Se Payment Do Warna Jao :
Hamare Liye Zong Ufone Waisy Bhi Kafi hai Baki Invester hai Take Over Karne K Liye
Current economy mein 450 million dollars bohut ziyada hai. Dollar exchange rate asmaan par hai aj kal. PTA ko ye sub sochna chaiye.
Government needs to stop pressurizing private companies in to investing in this economic climate. If this continue this, soon we will have no foreign investment. Considering the dollar exchange rate, USD 450 million is a lot of money.
Mere aziz ham watno….
(samajh tow gaye hon ge aap ke asal kahani kia hai)
What a joke to pay 15years old price for renewal. I think they should have been asked to pay thrice higher than the one asked for to pay.
I think u have forgotten that these companies are earning in Pkr n paying in usd. 15 years ago the parity was around 55. Now parity is 158.