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Category: IT & Telecom

Explore IT and Telecom stories with Pakistan Revenue, your go-to source for the latest updates on Pakistan’s technology and telecom sector. Stay ahead with real-time industry insights and economic developments.

  • PTA monitors telecom operators amid coronavirus pandemic

    PTA monitors telecom operators amid coronavirus pandemic

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is monitoring packages offered by telecom operators amid coronavirus pandemic.

    A statement issued on Monday, the PTA said that the telecom operators have launched many offers/initiatives for their subscribers.

    Some are offering discounts or temporary upgrades at low or no cost during the crisis to help their subscribers stay connected.

    Details of these offers/packages are being regularly updated on PTA’s official website: www.pta.gov.pk

    In view of coronavirus pandemic and to provide immediate ease and facilitation to the general public, PTA has taken number of initiatives.

    These steps include sending awareness messages to subscribers for protection from Corona. So far 811.97 million messages have been sent since 19th March 2020 in Urdu, English and regional languages to mobile users across Pakistan.

    Awareness SMSs in Urdu and English have also been sent to the travelers/suspected persons who may have come into contact with coronavirus patients during travelling.

    More than 0.53 million messages have been sent to the travelers and suspected persons since 19th March 2020. Similarly, Corona Awareness Ring Back Tones (RBTs) have been initiated on 131.75 million subscribers’ mobile devices.

    To facilitate operations of educational institutions, call centers etc. 72 IPs have been whitelisted since 19th March 2020.

    During the period, PTA has allocated 12 different short codes and 6 UAN (Toll Free) numbers to Government entities working on controlling the pandemic.

    PTA has also facilitated in arranging donations by Mobile users in ‘Prime Minister’s COVID-19 Pandemic Relief Fund-2020′. Mobile subscribers can donate Rs 20/SMS by sending a text message on code 6677.

  • Monetary penalty up to Rs25 million recommended for unlawful personal data processing

    Monetary penalty up to Rs25 million recommended for unlawful personal data processing

    ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) has proposed a monetary penalty of up to Rs25 million for unlawful processing of personal data under the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2020. This significant step aims to safeguard individuals’ privacy and ensure compliance with data protection standards.

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  • PTA allows free SMS for Ehsas Program

    PTA allows free SMS for Ehsas Program

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Thursday announced to make charge-free the SMS sent to Ehasas Program.

    A statement issued by PTA said that to facilitate people sending SMS to BISP code 8171 for Ehsas Program registration, all SMSs will be free with no charging from April 10, 2020.

    This decision to make SMS service free of charge has been taken in view of problems faced by some mobile subscribers with no balance, who now will be able to send SMS on 8171 with zero balance.

    It may be mentioned that PTA is extending full support to BISP, without any financial benefit, in its efforts to reach out people wanting for help through mobile technology.

  • Ufone tops PTA’s key performance indicators

    Ufone tops PTA’s key performance indicators

    ISLAMABAD: Ufone has topped to achieve key performance indicators (KPIs) set for performance of cellular mobile operators by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), a statement said on Wednesday.

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  • Ufone celebrates 19 years of Pakistan operations

    Ufone celebrates 19 years of Pakistan operations

    ISLAMABAD: Ufone celebrated 19 years of successful operations in Pakistan with the entire UFamily at Ufone Tower, Islamabad and other offices across the country.

    During the anniversary celebrations, employees and management vowed to serve their customers with complete dedication and leave no stone unturned in delivering the best.

    President & CEO, PTCL-Ufone, Rashid Khan addressed the employees on this special occasion at the head office and congratulated them for taking the Pakistani telecom operator to new heights.

    He stated that it is because of the persistent efforts of the entire team that the organization has been able to show tremendous growth over the years and has established itself as a people friendly brand.

    It is the power of Ufone’s employees that keeps Ufone growing stronger every passing year and this theme was celebrated across Ufone offices in light of the anniversary celebrations.

    As a brand, Ufone has always focused on improving the life of every Pakistani by ensuring seamless connectivity. The customer first approach enables the organization to stand out and serve customers to the best of their abilities.

    The journey for Ufone began 19 years ago but despite challenges the company stood firm and continued serving its customers with the same zeal.

    Through these years, Ufone has introduced many innovative products and services which have not only become game changers in the telecom industry but have also empowered the common man.

    Ufone prides itself in connecting people from all over the country with ease and without any hassles.

    The company has been at the forefront of disseminating high quality services due to which it has become the preferred operator of Pakistanis across the country.

    According to recent PTA survey results, Ufone has the best voice services amongst all operators in Pakistan and is following the benchmark call connection time of 6.5 seconds.

    Now as Ufone enters its 20th year, the goals are bigger and ambitions are stronger. The company aspires to expand its outreach into every corner of Pakistan and is diligently working towards improving customer experience.

  • Mobile phone import climbs up by 79.46% in seven months

    Mobile phone import climbs up by 79.46% in seven months

    KARACHI: The import of mobile phones has surged by 79.46 percent during first seven months (July – January) of current fiscal year owing to reduction in tax rate by the government to promote digital economy.

    The import of mobile phones increased to $760.58 million during first seven months of current fiscal year as compared with $423.82 million in the corresponding months of the last fiscal year, according to import data released by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

    The government announced Tax Laws (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 2019 on December 28, 2019 through presidential order.

    Prior to the promulgation of the Tax Laws (Second Amendment) Ordinance,2019 the rate of withholding income tax on the import of mobile phones was Rs.730 in case of a mobile phones having value exceeding 30 UD dollars and up to 100 US Dollars.

    In order to complement the efforts of the government towards promotion of financial inclusion, e-commerce etc, income tax at the import stage in respect of mobile phones having value exceeding 30US dollars and up to 100US dollars has been reduced from Rs.730 to Rs.100 per mobile phone.

  • PTCL declares 14.5% decline in annual net profit

    PTCL declares 14.5% decline in annual net profit

    KARACHI: Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has declared 14.5 percent decline in net profit for the year 2019.

    According to financial results submitted to Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), the company announced net profit of Rs6.347 billion for the calendar year ended December 31, 2019 as compared with Rs7.422 billion profit in the preceding year.

    The earnings per share for the year of the company also came at Rs1.24 as compared with the EPS of Rs1.46 declared in the last year.

    A final cash dividend for the year ended December 31, 2019 was at Re0.50 per share i.e. 5 percent. This is in addition to the interim dividend already paid at Re0.5 per share i.e. 5 percent.

    The gross profit of PTCL was recorded at Rs16.98 billion for the year 2019 as compared with Rs53.53 billion in the previous year.

    Administrative and general expenses of the company was at Rs6.76 billion in 2019 as compared with Rs6.257 billion in the preceding year.

    PTCL declared operating profit at Rs4.94 billion as compared with Rs6.51 billion.

    The profit before tax was recorded at Rs9.33 billion for the year 2019 as compared with Rs10.757 billion in the preceding year.

  • New mobile phone registration payment validity is seven days: PTA

    New mobile phone registration payment validity is seven days: PTA

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Friday said that payment of duty and tax for new mobile phone registration has to be made within seven days.

    In a statement, the authority said that the validity of all applications and payment slip identification (PSID) is seven days. During this period the applicant has to pay duty and taxes with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

    The PTA said that after lapse of seven days in which payment has not been made then the application/PSID would automatically deleted from the system. In such cases the claimants could not make payment at banks on invalid PSID.

    The authority said that in case expiry the applicants need to re-submit application for issuance of new PSID.

    The PTA introduced Device Identification Registration Blocking System (DIRBS). As par law all the new mobile phones has to get registration through this system within 60 days before linking to any local cellular provider.

    The PTA facilitated the registration of new mobile phones through three different ways including website, SMS and franchise of mobile operators/service centers.

  • Telenor, Jazz awarded Rs680 mn next generation broadband project

    Telenor, Jazz awarded Rs680 mn next generation broadband project

    ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Information Technology on Wednesday approved award of contracts to Telenor and PMCL (Jazz) worth Rs680 Million in total for Kurram and Sanghar Lots.

    PMCL (Jazz) is being awarded the contract of Kurram Lot while Telenor is being awarded the contract of Sanghar Lot under Next Generation Broadband for Sustainable Development (NG-BSD) Programme.

    Federal Secretary Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui chaired 68th Board of Directors meeting of Universal Service Fund Company here on Wednesday.

    Chairman PTA Maj Gen (R) Amir Azeem Bajwa was also present in the meeting.

    This project is part of the inclusive approach of the Government and to strengthen the pillar of connectivity under Digital Pakistan.

    During the meeting Chairman USF Board and Secretary IT was apprised about the progress of USF projects. The Hi-speed Broadband services in Kurram Lot will benefit an unserved population of approximately 400,000 thereby covering 200 unserved muazas and an approximate unserved area of 2,900 sq. km.

    Kurram Lot encompasses Frontier Region Kurram, Lower Kurram and Upper Kurram tehsils. Similarly, an unserved population of approximately 1.4 million will gain advantage from Hi-speed Broadband services in Sanghar Lot.

    The Lot consists of Sanghar and Umerkot districts with an approximate unserved area of 12,000 sq. km and 500 unserved mauzas.

    The Chairman USF Board and Secretary IT, Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui emphasized on connecting the people of Pakistan who did not have access to latest ICT facilities.

    He also said these projects will bring the people of Kurram and Sanghar at par with the wider society and helpful in solving the problems of illiteracy, poverty and unemployment.

    Furthermore, the Federal Secretary welcomed Prime Minister’s most recent expression of support for the continued and ongoing work of Digital Pakistan.

    He stressed the importance of the Ministry of IT and Telecom remaining closely engaged to support and encourage implementation of the vision.

    In addition to this, he also acknowledged other board members’ valuable contribution to make advancements in implementation of USF projects.

    The Board greatly appreciated Chairman USF Board and Secretary IT for providing guidance and wisdom to accomplish USF mission.

    Other board members comprising Shabahat Ali Shah, Executive Director, NITB; Ifran Wahab, CEO-Telenor Cluster Head for Emerging Asia and Nominee of Mobile Cellular Operators; Imran Akhtar Shah, VP for Government Sales, Super Net Pvt Ltd and Nominee of Data Licensees; Rashid Khan, CEO PTCL and Nominee of Fixed Line Operators; Kaukab Iqbal, Chairman, Consumer Association of Pakistan and Nominee of Consumer Group and management of USF Co. also attended the meeting.

  • Import of mobile phones surges by 106% to Rs96.33 billion in first half

    Import of mobile phones surges by 106% to Rs96.33 billion in first half

    KARACHI: Pakistan has imported mobile phones worth Rs96.33 billion, showing an increase of 106 percent during first half (July – December) of 2019/2020.

    According to data released by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the import of mobile phones increased to Rs96.33 billion during first half of current fiscal year as compared with Rs46.82 billion in the same period of the last fiscal year.

    The rise in imported mobile phones was due to sharp decline in Pak Rupee during the period.

    According to State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) the exchange rate in December 2019 was Rs154.92 to the dollar as against the exchange rate of Rs138.47 in December 2018.

    In terms of US dollar the growth in imported mobile phones is still significant. The country spent $616.14 million during first half of current fiscal year as compared with $364.04 million in the corresponding period of the last fiscal year, showing growth of 69 percent.

    Despite this growth, the government reduced withholding income tax and sales tax on imported mobile phone.

    Through Tax Laws (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 2019 the government reduced sales tax and withholding income tax on import of mobile phones. The FBR attributed the reduction to promote digital economy in the country.