Warid and Bank Alfalah formally launch Mobile Paisa – hits over 10,000 agents across 500 cities

Warid Telecom and Bank Alfalah Limited have announced the launch of their marketing campaign for Branchless Banking Services under the brand name “Mobile Paisa” in Pakistan. The launch of Mobile Paisa was announced earlier this year with the promise of trust and convenience.

The service is launched in collaboration with Monet (Pvt.) Limited as the technology provider, who are using the technology of Visa International, to offer branchless banking solutions to banks and telcos nationwide.

Both Warid Telecom and Bank Alfalah Limited aim to bridge the gap between banking services and consumers while providing state of the art mobile financial services, bringing convenience, reliability and security all together for their customers.

The available services include Money Transfer,Bill Payments and Customer Mobile Wallets while more services are in the pipeline for consumers, corporates and G2P which will be launched soon. The companies understand the importance of timely payments of bills and transfer of money and other financial needs of customers, hence intend to provide convenience to its consumers accordingly.

Speaking on Mobile Paisa hitting over 10,000 agents for branchless banking, Warid Telecom’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr.Muneer Farooqui said, “We are constantly growing in every aspect, Withone of the top ARPUs, our brand is acknowledged as the most reliable and transparent in the Industry. Our branchless banking brand, Mobile Paisa,  is aimedat making Mobile Financial Services effortless task for our consumers. In this era of modernization and technical development, it is essential to digitize and enhance transacting convenience through a secure and swift system. With the strong backing of the Abu Dhabi Group, we are constantly putting every effort to ensure that we remain unmatched in providing innovative services to our valuable customers. Bank Alfalah is one of the biggest banking institutions in Pakistan and this is the edge that Mobile Paisa enjoys over its competitors in this telecom-banking collaborative product.”

Commenting on Mobile Paisa, Warid Telecom’s Director Mobile Financial Services, Mr. FaisalKhan Sadozai said, “As we hit over 10,000 agents in a very short span of time, I call it the beginning. With aggressive expansion plans, we have a sound strategy towards making Mobile Paisa brand evolve and thrive in coming times. I am looking at Mobile Paisa hitting another 30,000 agents across 1,000 towns  in the very near future. Pakistan is surely a good market for branchless banking. Our key objective is to make things easier for the people while adding more possibilities through Mobile Paisa with strong focus on financial inclusion of the unbanked population of Pakistan. Mobile Paisa is set out to revolve around customer convenience and trust and we are continuously working to bring in new and exciting products for our valuable customers.”

Mehreen Ahmed, Group Head Retail South and New Initiatives who leads the branchless banking team at Bank Alfalah, commented,“Bank Alfalah is aggressively pursuing the creation of a financial ecosystem that supports innovation through technology. Mobile Paisa is yet another reiteration of our commitment to enhancing financial access and inclusion in order to reduce the gap between the ‘banked’ and the yet-to-be-banked’ in Pakistan.”

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Mobile Penetration in Pakistan

By Aamir Abbas Khan

The writer is an IT &Technology analyst

A decade ago, high costs and irrelevance meant mobile phones were not that common in Pakistan. But as time passed and technological advancements were made on regular basis, mobile phone manufacturers began producing low cost mobile phones as part of a strategy to grab early market share in a suddenly booming sector. Combined with the growth of communications and transmission technology (fiber and satellite based) mobile phones have since become a necessity. Pakistan’s potential in the telecommunications market was underestimated in the beginning, but recent years have shown that this country can never be neglected. Judging by the increasing number of cellular subscribers, the smart companies got in early and stuck around.

There are several reasons behind the high mobile phone penetration in Pakistan; recently a number of Chinese phone sellers, following in the lead of global brands such as Nokia, Samsung, HTC, etc have entered the market and increased their sales and service networks. This in turn led to increased demand for post-paid and data packages, which boosted numbers tremendously. Now demand is increasing for 3G networks, something that should have happened several years ago, but was delayed several times. Secondly, but more importantly, millions of Parallel Import devices have penetrated the market and found success with their relatively lower prices by successfully evading the tax structure.

 Experts say that there is a 15 to 20% price difference between Parallel Import devices brought in this way and those devices legitimately imported. For customers this sounds like a dream, and who cares if the government doesn’t get its pound of flesh. But the effects for consumers can also be adverse. Devices like these don’t come with warranties, guarantees, and service agreements. Often, sellers will replace parts or scavenge the phone and take out its most expensive parts before putting it back together and selling it again. And there’s nothing that customers can do to avoid this. Replacement parts become more expensive and suddenly a legitimate market becomes tilted by untaxed substitutes, leading manufacturers to cut down their participation, effectively driving them from the market.

There are numerous examples; One of the leading brands recently conducted research that showed an increasing number of complaints arising from purchases of warranty-less or PI phone products. Recently high end devices were also released which received an excellent response from the Pakistani market, but because of the impact of PI products on their brand name, the company has taken a hit. While some leading brands are staying, other manufacturers may not feel the same, if they see their brand equity and image of reliability tainted in this way.

Parallel Import devices affect all mobile phone manufacturers and leads to a negative financial impact for official distributors. The government recently started taking this issue seriously, partly because of growing security threats and the use of cellular devices in terrorism-related activities. The Government should also take further action to protect customers interest and to make sure they buy official products, because the service agreements make up for the extra cost, guaranteeing security and performance.

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Nokia in Partnership with Telenor Pakistan Introduces Beautiful Nokia Asha 500, 502 and 503

Nokia Pakistan announced that the new Nokia Asha 500, 502 and 503 are available for purchase in Pakistan with 6 months free Telenor Talkshawk Internet. The new phones extend the boundaries of affordable smartphone experience with their innovative Fastlane home screen, attractive new design and a deeper integration with social networks. The new Asha series is a technological marvel coupled with the outstanding manufacturing quality of Nokia and an extended battery life.

Commenting on the new Nokia Asha range, Arif Shafique, country general manager, Nokia Pakistan said: “With the expansion of the Nokia Asha family, we bring three exciting smartphones for our consumers to suit their budget needs. The new Asha series has a stunning new design, a plethora of social networking apps and enhanced imaging quality. This way, millions of consumers across different price points will get access to smartphone technology”.

Irfan Wahab Khan, chief marketing officer, Telenor Pakistan said on the occasion: “This is yet another example of the successful collaboration between Telenor Pakistan and Nokia. Introducing high-quality yet affordable smartphones with a very user-friendly social experience is in line with Telenor Pakistan’s ‘Internet for all’ strategy. We believe in bringing the internet experience to the masses of Pakistan, and Telenor’s free 6 months’ internet offering with these new Asha devices is aimed at encouraging people to utilize the true benefits of internet”.

With the launch of the latest range of Asha smartphones, Nokia introduces the unique ‘dual shot’ design which combines an inner layer of bold, bright coloured shell surrounded by an outer layer of crystal-clear transparency. This distinctive combination enhances the durability of the device and surely makes the smartphone user stand out of the crowd. The high-end design brought to this price point is a clear differentiator, as are the craftsmanship and attention to detail. 

The Asha 500 offers a 2.8-inch screen, a 2-megapixel camera and 2G telephony while the Asha 502 comes with a 3-inch screen, and a 5-megapixel camera with flash. At the top of the current family is the Asha 503, which has a 3-inch screen made from curved Gorilla Glass, a 5-megapixel camera with flash, and 3.5G speeds. The Asha 500 and 503 come in single- and dual-SIM variants, with Nokia’s Easy Swap technology on dual-SIM, allowing users to swap cards without restarting the phone. While all three of these new phones come with the same software and stunning hardware design, the three offer hardware specifications that scale upwards by model number and price.

As social networking is the need of the hour, these new devices allow the user to become more social across various social media. With Fastlane, users can create a personalized shortcut to the phone’s recently accessed apps, features and content, as well as future activity, such as calendar appointments. It’s the fastest way to access an app in its last state, as well as being the social hub of the new Nokia Asha 500, 502 and 503. Deeper integration with social networks now enables live updates, which alert people to likes and comments through notifications on Fastlane so they never miss an important update.

With such exciting features, the new Nokia Asha series offers a smartphone experience like never before, and that too with Telenor Talkshawk 6 months’ free internet.

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ZonG Makes Mobile Internet More Pocket-friendly than Ever before

ZonG has taken another step to drive telecom industry growth by introducing city based packages for mobile internet. With this new offer, ZonG customers can subscribe to Mobile internet packages using GPRS at affordable rates. This service has initially been launched in these four cities: Lahore, Sialkot, Gujrat and Daska.

All customers living in these cities can subscribe to either of the two packages: Volume offer or Time offer. Volume offer can simply be activated by dialing *111*1# or by sending SMS ‘VOL’ to 6677 with subscription charges of Re. 1 per day and usage charges of Re. 1 per MB. On the other hand, Time offer can be activated by dialing *111*2# or by sending SMS ‘TIME’ to 6677 with subscription charges of Re. 1 per day and usage charges of Rs. 2 per Hr.

Speaking about this new offering, Dr. Zhao Peng – Chief Commercial Officer (CMPak) said, “As more and more smart phones become available in Pakistan at affordable rates, the demand for good mobile internet packages is also increasing. Zong’s latest offering of city based mobile internet will give Pakistanis an option to surf internet via mobile at most affordable rates. Hence, ZonG is playing a key role in driving up mobile internet usage that is likely to contribute to higher economic activity and at the same time increase mobile internet penetration level in Pakistan.”

One of the major goals behind launching pocket friendly internet packages is to give the masses residing both in Urban and Semi Urban areas a basic understanding and feel of mobile internet to ensure better response to the launch of 3G services in Pakistan in near future. This initiative is a first of its kind in the industry which will certainly position ZonG as a key enabler of mobile internet in the cities of Punjab.

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Zong Awarded the Long Distance International License

China Mobile Pakistan-Zong, Pakistan’s fastest growing Telecom Network, is proud to announce the attainment of the LDI license after reaching an agreement with Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA). Both entities signed the LDI License agreement at an event held to announce this latest development. CMPakwas anxiously waiting to get the LDI license, as the company plans to launch new services for the benefit of its customers.

The LDI license will now allow Zong to provide cost effective and efficient international call and SMS services to its customers as previously it provided these services through collaboration with different local partners.

Expressing his delight on the occasion, Mr. Sikandar Naqi, Adviser to chief, Zong said, “At Zong, we believe in continuous progress and innovation, which in turn means better services and facility for our esteemed customers. This agreement with PTA for the LDA license is just another example of our dedication towards providing better and efficient services to our subscribers. Through such endeavors we show our commitment towards taking the telecom services in Pakistan to the next level.”

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Fan Yun Jun, chairman and CEO, Zong said, “This journey towards the acquisition of the LDI license was an uphill task which started back in 2007.Congratulations to the Zong team in charge of the license procurement, as their hard work and determination has finally paid off. I would also like to thank the officials at PTA who have made this all possible. The LDI license is another jewel in our crown and it will lead us and our customers towards a new avenue of business and services. I hope our team is all geared for this latest challenge.”

Zong has been taking giant leaps in the competitive market of telecom services by introducing customer centric services for different segments of mobile phone users along with expanding its network at an exponential rate. With the preference of 53% customers in 2012 in the entire industry, Zong remains the telecom operator of choice in Pakistan. With the passage of time, Zong has not only managed to attract a fair share of the market through innovative services but has also invested billions of dollars in Pakistan.

 

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PTA Selects Consultant for Auction ​of Next Generation Services Spectrum

In order to enable and provide customers with diversified voice and data services, next generation mobile services are embraced by most of the telecom operators around the world.

In Pakistan, for the provision of consultancy services for the auction of next generation services, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and Value Partners Management Consulting Limited (VPMCL) has signed a formal contract at the PTA headquarters reported The Express Tribune on Thursday.

According to the PTA’s Request for Proposals (RFPs) and Terms of References (ToRs), competition and complete transparency in the auction is the responsibility of the selected consultants for the entire process of spectrum auction. They would further provide inputs, recommendations and professional analysis.

VPMCL is a consortium of consultants from the US, UK, Singapore and Spain. Under the directive of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecom, VPMCL was declared successful after the completion of evaluation process for the selection of a consultant of international repute.

According to PTA, mobile phone users in Pakistan would be able to transmit and receive high speed data through their handsets.

In order to modernize the mobile telephone system in Pakistan, the auction of next generation mobile services was a necessary step.

As compare to the current GPRS/Edge networks available to us right now, with next generation mobile services consumers would enjoy video calls, internet browsing and downloading at relatively higher speeds.

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Pakistan Bans Sale of Mobile Phones Without PTA Approval

Due to growing terrorism-related activities and security threats with the use of cellular devices, the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) has banned the sale of mobile phones without its prior approval.

The telecom regulatory authority sent a letter to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), instructing custom officials to ban consignments of cellular phones if specification details design and IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) have not been submitted by the importer to the PTA.

For all manufacturers and importers of cellular phones, submission of these specification details to the PTA has been made mandatory to get approval under section 29 of the Pakistan Telecommunications (Re-Organisation) Act, 1996.

PTA official confirmed that sale had been banned without the PTA’s approval of mobile phone type and IMEI number. He added that only PTA's approved consignments of cellular phones would get clearance at ports. 

All the concerned companies and custom officials have been informed that cellular phone manufacturers and importers are now bound to provide all technical details of the phones to the national regulator.

Cellular phones without IMEI numbers and their use in criminal activities made PTA take this strict decision of imposition of ban without its prior approval.

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MicroSave launches The Helix Institute of Digital Finance - Making Mobile Money Work, Everywhere

Extending the reach of formal financial services to include the very poor living in the most remote areas of the developing world, is not a new idea.  And yet three quarters of the world’s poor still have no access to a bank account, reports the World Bank in their global survey.

The problem is the high cost of secure and reliable financial services, particularly in inaccessible rural areas. The solution is already out there argued Bill Gates at the Alliance for Financial Inclusion Forum this September, "Digital can lower the cost of a range of transactions by as much as 90%, providing nearly universal access to innovative financial products and services”.

But, then why have these digital solutions not reached the world’s population who earn less than $2 a day and have the greatest need for efficient tools for managing the little money they have?

Some countries have pioneered this solution. Kenya’s M-PESA mobile money product has demonstrated its utility subscribing 75% adults, and similar services in Tanzania and Bangladesh are also showing great promise.  However, the majority of digital finance providers have failed to emulate this success. The secret seems to be the ability to copycat selected best practices, while listening intently to local market demands. 

The Helix Institute of Digital Finance (www.helix-institute.com), a training and information institution for digital financial services, will launch next month in Nairobi to address these and other issues through training courses, operational, and other technical support. As a partnership between the Gates Foundation, the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation, the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and MicroSave, Helix’s mission is to help digital finance practitioners increase efficiency, improve profits, and extend financial services to low-income and rural communities globally.

The Helix Institute of Digital Finance was launched as one pillar of MicroSave and the Gates Foundations’ Agent Network Accelerator project, with the overarching goal of increasing global understanding of how to build sustainable cash-in/cash-out mobile money and mobile banking agents across a broad geography.

The first pillar of the project is research where they will carry out around 20,000 detailed assessments of more than 25 mobile money and mobile banking agent networks, in eight countries (Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Nigeria, India, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Pakistan), twice, over a period of 4 years. This level of research has never been done before.  They have just completed data collection from 7,000 agents operating in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda and will be going into Pakistan at the beginning of next year where they will be carrying out around 2,000 assessment.

The second pillar is the launch of The Helix Institute of Digital Finance where the cutting-edge operational insights and best practices acquired and learnt from its research will be disseminated. However, the institute has evolved beyond Agent Network’s, as they saw the huge benefit and demand of offering operational training courses beyond Agent Network Management. They will therefore go on to offer courses on different subjects such as Risk and Fraud Management and Digital Financial Services for MFI’s.
 
Their course is open to global participants, so they hope to receive some visionary mobile money and mobile banking practitioners from Pakistan in due course. Due to an overwhelming demand, the first course in November is already fully booked. Helix’s first training course is on agent network management, 18th-22nd November 2013 in Nairobi, Kenya.

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Warid Brings Mobile Internet Sharing Service

Warid Telecom, leading the way of innovation in Pakistan’s Telecom industry, has introduced another industry first with its latest mobile internet service for its valued clients, Mobile Internet Share. This service allows Warid Prepaid customers to gift mobile internet bundles to a friend or family member at astonishingly low rates. 

Customers will be able to purchase 10MB and 100MB buckets for Rs.30 and Rs 99.99 respectively by sending the mobile number and amount via SMS to 7777. To use Mobile Internet Share a customer will send XXMB in an SMS to 7777 (e.g. 100MB0321xxxxxxx).

This is another exciting offer from Warid in its continuing commitment to provide innovative services to its valued customers and reflects the company’s persistence in developing products that accurately reflect the needs of the market.

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Warid Offers Postpaid to Postpaid Balance Transfer Service

Warid Telecom, leading the way of innovation in Pakistan’s telecom industry, brings another fascinating service for its customers; “Postpaid To Postpaid Balance Transfer”. This service will allow Warid Telecom’s postpaid customers to share balance with each other. “Postpaid to Postpaid Balance Transfer” service is yet another industry first by Warid Telecom.

Through this service Warid Telecom’s postpaid customers can share their balance with other Warid postpaid customers by sending “BRecipient NumberTransfer Amount” to 2424. This service is in line with Warid Telecom’s focus to continuously provide innovative services for the convenience of its valued Customers.

Warid Telecom’s Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Younas Iqbal Sheikh commented on the new service saying, "Warid Telecom has one of the most loyal postpaid customer base in the Pakistan Telecom industry and we are always looking to facilitate these valued customers through innovative and convenient new services. The Post to Post service will provide our subscribers with a 360 degree solution to low balance and payment situations.”

Warid Telecom already provides its customers with Prepaid to Prepaid and Postpaid to Prepaid Balance Transfer services. The recent addition of Postpaid to Postpaid Balance Transfer is further evidence of Warid Telecom’s innovative and customer centric approach.

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Cellular Services Restored Across Country

Along with the restoration of . PK Domains that were hacked yesterday morning, mobile phone services have been restored in Pakistan, three hours after the Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik ordered the services restoration.

Mobile phone services would also remain cut from 6 am to 8 pm on 10th of Muharram in 52 cities.

The cellular services were suspended in 48 cities across the country on 9th Muharram from 6 AM in accordance with the schedule citing terror threats.
  
However, Rehman Malik, without giving any timeframe for Karachi, said that mobile services suspension on 10th of Muharram would be restored till end of the main procession.

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Telcos Challenge PTA Order of Banning Night Packages in IHC

Aamir Pasha from Ufone said that we received the directive and have challenged it in the Islamabad High Court (IHC). We can’t comment on it because it is a judicial matter, reported The Express Tribune today.

PTA had ordered mobile phone companies to ban cheap, late-night calling rates because they allegedly promote vulgarity among young men and women.

The PTA said it asked companies to suspend attractive night-time rates in keeping with government policy.

Malahat Rab from PTA told AFP that they have issued the directive to all the mobile telephone companies to shelve night call packages. Members of parliament also demanded action. These directives are issued in the light of the government decisions and this decision has also been taken by the government. The step was taken after lengthy discussions.

Kalsoom Perveen from upper house of parliament said that these packages are not right for our youth and they strongly object to the night phone packages and recommended that the PTA either fix a time limit for this facility or ban it.

Shafqat Hayayt Khan who is an opposition lawmaker and sits on the information technology committee in the lower house, also backing the ban said that there is no doubt that these cheap night call rates packages are promoting vulgarity. We will make the PTA implement this decision.

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PTA Bans All Night Packages

PTA has issued the directive to cellular companies for blocking of night packages.

As we already know that Senate’s Standing Committee on Cabinet Division asked PTA to stop all night packages some days ago, PTA has finally sent directives to ban all night packages starting from 21st of November 2012.

Several times voice against night-packages was raised, including Punjab and KPK Provincial assemblies passed resolution for the ban of night packages.

Its worth mentioning here that almost all the cellular companies in Pakistan Mobilink, Telenor, Warid, Zong are offering quite attractive late night offers that are quite popular amongst the youth and the popularity is growing day by day. While this package are quite helpful for the students who prepare their assignments, presentations and exams late night, these packages were certainly abused by many.

The most noted case of abuse of late night offer is that a bunch of boys add each other in the conference call, and then they dial a random number and tease them late night. There have been several cases of the same sort and apparently this is the good move.

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Sale of SIMs Banned in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

In case you missed the announcement of government about shutting down all the franchises in Pakistan, you will be surprised to know that in the name of counter-terrorism measures they have started the activity already.

Along with mobile number portability (MNP) banned, the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) banned the sale of all private cellphone company’s Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, acting on the directives of the Federal Interior Ministry, Dawn reported today.

The ban involves the selling of cell phone SIMs at all company and franchise outlets.

The decision to enforce the ban in the province was taken in view of the prevalent use of illegal SIMs in most terrorist activities in the province.

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Twitter Updates iPhone and Android Mobile Apps

For those of you twitter users who have access to your accounts through an iPhone or Android handset can now see headlines and photos, find out well-known twitter posts and search for a new viewpoint, declares the micro-blogging site.

This new design for mobile brings the content of each Tweet front and center, enabling twitter users to preview photos and article summaries without a tap in Discover and search results. 

Discover on twitter.com helps find popular and trending topics among friends and family in a simple stream of Tweets. To see a continuous stream of news, photos and other stories shared by the people, you can just tap “View all Tweets”.

In search, photos from relevant results will appear at the top of the stream to see what is happening from multiple perspectives.

Twitter added three new elements in search: view photos and videos first, see headlines and photos, and understand context.

People share stories on Twitter through photos and videos. The updated app now opens a grid of the most relevant media above the stream of Tweets when searching for a person, an event or a hashtag.

Media instantly appearas in search results stream on an iPhone or Android device. Photos and article summaries automatically show previews on what is happening.

Twitter users can now see context like who favorited or retweeted right there in the Tweet.

These search results are now available on twitter.com and Twitter’s updated mobile apps for iPhone and Android.

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Muharram Security: Ban on Mobile Services in Karachi and Quetta is Likely

Citing security reasons in Muharram-ul-Haram the government of Pakistan is looking forward to ban mobile services in Karachi and Quetta, Geo News reported.

Interior Minister, Rehman Malik, in a statement announced that mobile services might get blocked if needed.

Malik said, his ministry, had re information that motorcycles would be used in terrorist attacks at public places, therefore motorcycles are not allowed tomorrow.
  
Malik said the government is also considering to shut down mobile phone services in Karachi and Quetta. A decision to this effect would be made on Friday morning.

Moreover, markets in both the cities have also been directed to conduct business only between from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Friday.

No market in both the cities will be allowed to open before 10:00 AM and after 5:00 PM

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PTCL Connects Balochistan Through Vfone Wireless Service

PTCL has launched Vfone Services in remote areas of Balochistan with the aim to fulfill the communications needs of the people of Balochistan.

As part of its vision to bring latest Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to the remotest areas of the country, Pakistan Telecommunications Company Limited (PTCL) has extended its Vfone wireless service to isolated Mekhtar, Bard and Murgha Kibzai areas of Balochistan.

PTCL Vfone has the country’s largest WLL coverage and is available with both prepaid and postpaid options. Supported by high-speed CDMA technology, Vfone also offers SMS and internet connectivity at affordable rates.

Part of Loralai region of Balochistan, Mekhtar, Bard and Murgha Qibzai areas are one of the remotest areas of the country. PTCL aims to facilitate the people of the region with the launch of Vfone service.

Our vision is to bring latest telecommunications infrastructure to every city and village of Pakistan, said PTCL Executive Vice President (EVP) Wireless, Omer Khalid. Provision of Vfone services in the area will go a long way in fulfilling the communications needs of the people of Balochistan.

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Mobile Number Portability (MNP) Banned by Rehman Malik

The government barring cell phone subscribers from switching over to other networks while retaining the number issued by the first service provider, has prohibited (banned) mobile number portability (MNP).

The reason behind the ban of MNP is the meeting discussing the law and order situation, mainly in Sindh and Balochistan, and security arrangements for Muharram, took the decision by Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Thursday, reported Dawn.

Top police officers and home secretaries from the provinces, representatives of intelligence agencies and senior officials of the interior ministry attended the meeting.

According to an official, the MNP facility was creating problems in tracking down criminals’ whereabouts.

An official of a cellular company said he was unaware of the reason behind any such decision. “We can only say something after receiving an official communication. I wonder if it is a temporary arrangement or a complete ban.”

Other important decisions taken at the meeting included a new procedure for issuing subscriber identity module (SIM) for mobile phones. A SIM will now be issued only on production of a computerised national identity card and utility bills.

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Ufone Offers 24 Hour Free Calling - Bolo Pakistan Offer

Ufone claims to be providing Pakistan’s lowest daily charges call offer in its just launched promotion “Bolo Pakistan Offer”

Yes! Unlimited calls 24 hours with Ufone’s massive ‘Bolo Pakistan Offer’. With this exciting offer the entire Pakistan will stay connected through Pakistan’s favorite cellular company - Ufone. Now U can make unlimited calls to all Ufone numbers anywhere in Pakistan for just Rs. 8+tax daily, and that too for 24 hours.

 

To enjoy Bolo Pakistan offer all U have to do is to migrate to UWon Package and dial *888#.

So what are you waiting for get a hold of this offer and talk unlimited!

Terms & Conditions:

• This offer is valid till 10th December, 2012
• Offer is available on Uwon package only
• Dial 444 to migrate to Uwon package. Standard migration charges will apply
• Offer is valid from the time of subscription to 23:59 hrs same night.
• Calls made to other networks including PTCL & Vfone will be charged according to the package plan
• Calls made to voice buckets and short codes are not included in this offer
• Call set up charges 1 paisa/ call will apply
• Using a SIM which is not in your name or allowing others to use your SIM is a crime – PTA
• 19.5% FED on usage and 10% withholding tax at recharge or bill applies

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