Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has launched an attractive ‘Vfone Sindh Package’ for its Vfone customers in Sindh, giving them the freedom to communicate at the most economical call rates.

Introduced specially for Sindh , this unique offer allows PTCL’s Vfone Sindh customers to make calls at nominal rates of Rs 0.50 paisa only. The daily line rent of Vfone Sindh package will be Rs. 0.50 per day, while call rates for Vfone to Vfone and Vfone to PTCL Landline will be Rs. 0.50 per min. Customers can call mobile & other LLOs at Rs. 0.50 per 20 sec.

Supported by high-speed CDMA 1x technology, Vfone also offers SMS facility to all networks at a nominal rate of Rs. 0.30 per SMS while internet charges are Rs. 2.00 per 15 min.

“With this offer, PTCL aims to facilitate its customers offering them true mobility and affordability.” said PTCL Senior Executive Vice President Commercial, Naveed Saeed. “Our aim is to exceed customer expectations by offering affordable rates and quality services.”

“Keeping in mind the needs of the customers PTCL is tailoring its products and services according to various regional needs,” said PTCL Executive Vice President Wireless, Omar Khalid. “PTCL Vfone offers unmatched voice quality and SMS service with access to high-speed Internet and mobility.”

PTCL Vfone has the country’s largest WLL coverage and is available with both prepaid and postpaid options.

Pakistan Telecom Industry that has been booster for the country’s economy, now itself needs a catalyst of growth in terms of marketing innovations and technology evolution that is 3G.

Telecom experts and players are unanimous in observation that the entire industry has been facing glut and slowdown especially in revenues. Therefore, the industry needs introduction of newer and latest technologies including 3G, 4G, and Long Term Evolution (LTE).

According to the latest statistics released by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the telecom density in Pakistan has reached 68 per cent, which is among the highest in the world. Mobilink still remains the top shareholder with 36 million subscribers, followed by Telenor Pakistan that is at the second position with 29 million subscribers.
In order to secure its leading position in the future 3G markets, Telenor Pakistan has completed a tender in 2011 for an entire network swap and 3G rollout by selecting a Chinese supplier Zhongxing Telecom (ZTE). By the network infrastructure modernization with the latest technology, the growth of network profit and revenue is also expected. However, Telenor Pakistan has reportedly witnessed unenviable revenue slowdown with the first-ever continuous loss up to six million USD for the last three months since its inception 7 years ago. There is no question mark at all that telecom industry plays a pivotal role in the developing Pakistan economy and particularly the telecom operators have collectively been contributing positively to the national exchequer in the past years. As an European origin telecom giant, Telenor Pakistan, however, turns to be farcical day by day in devising their marketing strategy, which is actually undermining and annulling most portions of the advantages acquired from the network modernization. In this case, the revenue drop of Telenor Pakistan automatically generates a gloomy forecast and anxiety on the telecom industry overall performance. People should always keep in their minds, without a sound performance of telecom industry the economy of Pakistan may get even more miserable.
What is the way out? Of course, on one hand, the telecom industry players shall be wise enough to take up all necessary measures to revise their marketing and sales strategy in order to recover the lost amount. On the other hand, the market needs an injection of 3G/4G/LTE or whatever to get excited.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has established a four-member committee to draft measures to find new ways to sell prepaid Sims and ways to streamline prepaid customer data. The committee includes officials from the PTA and the ICT ministry, Dawn reports citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter. In 2009, the PTA told the mobile operators to only sell inactive Sims to customers after they show their national identity card. To activate the Sim customers must call a number and confirm their identity details. However, after more than three years, serious questions have been raised over the effectiveness of the system.