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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.

  • Ufone launches contact center for housing loans

    Ufone launches contact center for housing loans

    ISLAMABAD: Ufone has launched its new state-of-the-art contact center for Pakistan Banks’ Association (PBA). The contact center has been launched to resolve queries and generate leads for the Government of Pakistan’s ‘Mera Pakistan, MeraGhar’ helpline initiative, which brings affordable housing finance facilities for low-income groups.

    The Contact Center was inaugurated by Governor, State Bank of Pakistan, Reza Baqir, here in Islamabad, in presence of President and Group CEO, PTCL & Ufone, Hatem Bamatraf, Chairman, Naya Pakistan Housing and Development Authority,Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Anwar Ali Hyder, Chairman Pakistan Banks’ Association (PBA), Muhammad Aurangzeb, and senior management of the member banks and financial institutions of PBA.

    Ufone is providing Contact Center services to PBA from two existing Centers by disseminating information on the loan process, eligibility criteria etc., besides offering 24/7 query and complaint resolution services to prospective customers.

    Sharing his thoughts at the ceremony, President and Group CEO, PTCL & Ufone, Hatem Bamatraf, said:“We are glad to be a part of this historic initiative for the people of Pakistan. Ufone’s onboarding as the official contact service provider is a testament to the company’s extraordinary track record as a dependable services provider for Pakistan’s business sector. We constantly innovate and modernize our products and services ecosystem to deliver a remarkable user experience to our individual and corporate customers. The latest state-of-the-art Contact Center facility will further enhance our capacity to respond to queries and complaints to bring a hassle-free banking experience to the low-cost housing beneficiaries.”

    The Contact Center will provide an additional channel for Ufone to resolve queries and generate leads for the housing finance project and promote its nationwide uptake. The facilities are easily scalable to manage additional facilitation as the need arises.

    The facilities feature robust centralized Complaints Management and Leads Management Systems to help the member banks track every step of the customer journey, besides expediting the processing of the loans. Ufone Contact Centers are strategically located for effective management of traffic for calls from across Pakistan.

    Financing for Mera Pakistan Mera Ghar gains momentum
  • Cellular spectrum auction generates $30 million: PTA

    Cellular spectrum auction generates $30 million: PTA

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Tuesday said that an amount of $30 million has been generated as revenue from first-ever cellular spectrum auction for Next Generation Mobile Service (NGMS) in Azad Kashmir Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K) and Gilgit Baltistan.

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  • International payment gateway setup discussed

    International payment gateway setup discussed

    ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin on Tuesday presided over a meeting on the establishment of Pakistan International e-payment gateway (IPG).

    The IPG will pave the way for financial inclusion and payment digitization which is a sub-component of the 09-pillars of the E-Commerce policy.

    Federal Minister for IT & Telecommunication Syed Amin-ul-Haque, Adviser on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood, CEO NITB Syed Hussain Abbas Kazmi, Secretary Commerce, senior policy analyst and other senior officers participated in the meeting.

    Dr. Reza Baqir, Governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) joined the meeting through a video link.

    A consultative session was held with all relevant stakeholders to identify gaps between payment solutions available domestically and its integration with international payment gateway solution providers to promote e-commerce.

    The Adviser on Commerce briefed the participants about the current digital financial landscape in the country.

    SBP governor outlined steps being taken for the financial inclusion of domestic banks.

    Federal Minister for IT and Telecom assured full facilitation in the provision of enabling environment to the service providers as needed under IPG.

    In his remarks, the Finance Minister directed the authorities to follow best international practices and devise a way forward for implementing an international payment gateway ensuring transparency and due consultation with key stakeholders both in public and private sectors.

    The Finance Minister constituted a 04-member Committee headed by the Secretary of Commerce and comprising representatives of the Ministry of Commerce, Finance Division and Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

    The Finance Minister further directed to seek input from the President, Pakistan Banking Association (PBA) and leading market players from the private sector to understand their requirements and present a framework for further deliberation after 04 weeks.

    In his concluding remarks, the Finance Minister stated that Government will be the facilitator and regulator in a journey towards implementing IPG. The establishment of an international e-payment gateway will improve consumer confidence in E-Commerce through global connectivity

    SBP launches digital foreign exchange operations
  • PTCL, Dell to launch Azure Services in Pakistan

    PTCL, Dell to launch Azure Services in Pakistan

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) is collaborating with Dell Technologies to introduce the industry-first Azure Cloud Computing Services in Pakistan.

    The latest service will help PTCL enterprise customers to leverage technology for reaching their full business potential. 

    The agreement was signed by Sayyed Muhammad Imran Ali, EVP, Digital Services, PTCL and Naveed Khan, Director, Data Center Solutions for Asia Emerging Markets, Dell Technologies, during a signing ceremony held at the PTCL Headquarters, Islamabad, in presence of senior executives from both organizations.

    The upcoming Azure Stack Hub is an extension of Microsoft Azure that brings the flexibility and innovation of Cloud Computing to the Cloud Services providers in their on-premises infrastructure.

    When deployed at PTCL, the Azure Stack Hub will be used to provide Azure consistent services, either connected to the internet and Azure or in disconnected environments with no internet connectivity.

    Azure Stack Hub uses the same underlying technologies as global Azure, which includes the core components of Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), and Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) capabilities.

    On the occasion, Sayyed Muhammad Imran Ali, EVP, Digital Services, PTCL, said: “PTCL Azure Stack is a leap towards digitization, Cloud readiness and innovation. It has potential of helping SMEs and large enterprises to reinvent their customer experiences and allowing governments and academic institutions to innovate. This partnership will enable us to broaden our enterprise customers’ capabilities and ensure faster growth.”

    Also speaking at the event, Naveed Khan, Director, Data Center Solutions for Asia Emerging Markets, Dell Technologies, said: “We are honored to support PTCL to extend their cloud reach in Pakistan to help businesses innovate and adopt hybrid cloud with confidence. With the Dell Technologies Azure Stack, PTCL customers can experience Azure Cloud services without moving their applications and data out of the country.”

    The Cloud Computing Services will not only bolster PTCL business customers to realize their full potential but also reinforce the national telecom carrier’s long-term drive for fostering digitization in the country in consistence with the vision of Government of Pakistan for a ‘Digital Pakistan’.

    PTCL declares 38% growth in net profit for first half
  • Telenor gets Rs1.36bn contract for broadband services

    Telenor gets Rs1.36bn contract for broadband services

    ISLAMABAD: Telenor has been granted a contract worth Rs1.36 billion for providing high speed broadband services in Chaghi and Nushki districts of Balochistan.

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  • Ufone awarded Next Generation MS spectrum

    Ufone awarded Next Generation MS spectrum

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Telecom Company, Ufone has been awarded Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS) spectrum by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) as a result of recently held spectrum auction.

    The company won the spectrum in a bid to enhance 4G customer experience across the country.

    Federal Minister for IT & Telecom, Syed Aminul Haq along with Secretary IT & Telecom, Dr. Muhammad Sohail Rajput, Chairman PTA, Major General Amir Azeem Bajwa (Retd.) HI (M), senior officials from the ministry and PTCL Group attended the event. DG Licensing PTA, Brig. Amer Shahzad (Retd.) and President and Group CEO, PTCL & Ufone, Hatem Bamatraf signed the contract.

    The company plans to use the spectrum to introduce new innovative products and services and enhance its customer experience by providing high-quality internet as well as to expand its existing network to unserved and underserved regions of the country.

    Sharing his thoughts on spectrum acquisition, President and Group CEO, PTCL & Ufone, Hatem Bamatraf said: “It is a historic day for Ufone, as we have acquired additional 4G Spectrum in order to fully optimize our mobile data services. This will enable us to further enhance our users’ experience, expand the existing network to serve the unserved areas. Improved data experience will enable a digital transformation in education, health care, agriculture, banking and ecommerce ecosystems to name a few.”

    “We appreciate Government of Pakistan for executing the spectrum auction process in a seamless and transparent manner”, he further added.

    The additional spectrum will enable Ufone to not only connect Pakistanis living in far flung areas without cellular services but will also enable people in urban centers and towns to enjoy new sets of innovative products and unmatched experience.

    Pakistan produces 12.27mn mobile phones in 7 months
  • Engro Enfrashare signs Rs4.5 billion Islamic financing

    Engro Enfrashare signs Rs4.5 billion Islamic financing

    KARACHI: Engro Enfrashare, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Engro Corporation, has entered into an Islamic syndicate arrangement amounting to Rs4.5 billion, led by Meezan Bank and Faysal Bank, according to a statement issued on Tuesday.

    The proceeds raised through this Islamic syndication would be utilized to finance the development of tower sites for various mobile network operators (MNOs) operating in Pakistan.

    As per terms of the financing arrangement, the tenor of the financing will be seven years, including a grace period of two years. The syndicate includes Meezan Bank Limited, Faysal Bank Limited, National Bank of Pakistan, MCB Islamic Bank and Allied Islamic Bank.

    Last month, Engro had announced to enhance its total equity investment in the Telecom Infrastructure Vertical to Rs21.5 billion. The Telecom Infrastructure vertical was setup in 2019 to accelerate the development of connectivity infrastructure in Pakistan, thereby providing an opportunity for the people to be part of the new digital era.

    Engro Enfrashare is engaged in the acquisition and construction of shared telecom towers, provision of various telecommunication infrastructure and related services, including state-of-the-art network monitoring solutions.

    Since its inception, the Company has now established strong relationships with all MNOs active in Pakistan and is working closely with them to develop build-to-suit (B2S) sites across the country to serve their coverage and capacity requirements.

    According to Ghias Khan, President & CEO Engro Corporation: “Engro is committed to expanding its footprint in the Telecom Infrastructure vertical to power Pakistan’s progress in the digital era. With the support of banking partners like Meezan Bank, Engro Enfrashare will continue to work towards its purpose of making connectivity more accessible and affordable for everyone.”

    Irfan Siddiqui, Founding President & CEO, Meezan Bank, added that digitization would be a major element driving business success in the era we are entering into.

    Meezan Bank being not only the country’s leading Islamic Bank but also the Best Bank in Pakistan, not only understands the significance of telecom infrastructure but also encourages companies to build strong telecom infrastructure that would support their digitization initiatives and enable them to deliver a better customer experience.

    A signing ceremony of the agreement was signed at the Head Office of Engro Corporation, in the presence of Ghias Khan (President & CEO, Engro Corporation), Mazhar Hasnani (Chief Financial Officer, Engro Corporation), Faisal Sattar (CEO, Engro Enfrashare), Irfan Siddiqui (President & CEO, Meezan Bank), Ariful Islam (Deputy CEO of Meezan Bank), Yousaf Hussain (President & CEO, Faysal Bank) and other senior representatives of both institutions.

    Enfrashare, Telenor sign agreement to develop connectivity infrastructure
  • Ericsson strengthens network services portfolio

    Ericsson strengthens network services portfolio

    KARACHI:  Ericsson has strengthened its network services portfolio with the Intelligent Deployment solution – an agile, digital, and modular suite of tools and services that enable communications service providers to roll out, expand, and upgrade networks based on their specific needs and those of their customers, a statement said on Wednesday.

    With technology advancing rapidly, networks are becoming more complex and diverse. This places an increasing demand for a network deployment best suited to the needs of service providers, with a quick return on investments and future proof.

    With this in mind, Ericsson has redesigned network rollout for the 5G age with Intelligent Deployment. As the building block for optimum network life cycle management, it connects network design, installation, integration, acceptance, maintenance, and services evolution.

    The solution comprises enablers such as artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and a data-driven cloud-based architecture that support different functionalities service providers can use such as Intelligent Site Engineering, Intelligent Integration, and Remote Access.

    Intelligent Deployment will deliver the right network at the right time and use network data for continuous development and improvement. Data-driven and digitalized processes allow service providers to make network management decisions quicker and more effectively to meet market and user expectations. The integration of AI will ensure the evolution of the network with the changing times.

    Nello Califano, Head of Strategy and Portfolio Management, Ericsson Business Area Networks, says: “With our Intelligent Deployment solution, we are vastly improving the way we deploy networks, making it more agile, flexible, and responsive to customer needs. This means we can deliver parts of our portfolio to service providers based on their specific requirements. We use extensive data insights to offer new services as well as pre-empt problems when introducing intelligent monitoring of the network even after the end of deployment. By investing more in our network services, we create better solutions for our customers.”

    The solution includes outcome-based (buying professional services), subscription-based (buying access to standalone capabilities or to the entire offering), or a mix of both as and when needed for the entire intelligent deployment process or specifically for network deployment services.

    This enables service providers to secure higher accuracy, transparency, and cost-efficiency from site survey to acceptance, more flexibility change management, and faster time to market.

    Intelligent Deployment is built on trust and data integrity, affording service providers an end-to-end information process, guiding the workflow at every stage of their services. At the same time, it will ensure the security and safety of data, providing user-friendly solutions and adopting any legal restrictions of the country where they operate.

    In the UK, Vodafone is using Ericsson’s Intelligent Deployment solutions to speed up network upgrades. Drones and Lidar-based 3D technology are collecting high-definition imagery and data across 70 sites to deliver more digitalized and efficient network deployment.

    Ericsson organizes virtual event for Jazz Pakistan
  • Mobilink Bank, Universal Motors sign financing deal

    Mobilink Bank, Universal Motors sign financing deal

    KARACHI: Mobilink Microfinance Bank Limited (MMBL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Universal Motors (Private) Limited for financing motor vehicles.

    The collaboration will facilitate MMBL Borrowers by allowing them to finance commercial vehicles from Universal Motors through subsidized offerings, according to a statement issued on Monday.

    President & CEO MMBL, Ghazanfar Azzam, and Adil Noman, CEO Universal Motors signed the MoU in Islamabad with senior officials from both organizations in presence.

    The collaboration will usher in fast-track and priority financing for MMBL borrowers to attain commercial vehicles from Universal Motors for starting or expanding their business operations, under convenient terms.

    Following the MoU, MMBL customers will get fast product delivery Turnaround Times (TAT), in addition to the provision of 1S/2S/3S dealership or retailer services by Universal Motors, near MMBL branches across the country to extend after-sale services for borrowers.

    Creating further ease for borrowers, the vehicles will be delivered at MMBL branch cities with Universal Motors sharing the registration costs, and offering vehicle delivery from Karachi to the destination city at subsidized transportation rates.

    Sharing his thoughts at the signing ceremony, President and CEO MMBL, Ghazanfar Azzam said,” MMBL’s expansive product portfolio has witnessed a significant growth trajectory over the past few years with the introduction of more and more customer-centric products that are aimed at facilitating maximum convenience for empowering our borrowers in true sense.

    “This collaboration with Universal Motors will further solidify our aim of promoting hassle-free attainment of commercial vehicles, for business use, which will substantially be backed by quality after-sales services.”

    Adil Noman, CEO Universal Motors said, “Our collaboration with MMBL will help us target low-income groups that need financing for our sturdy and dependable JMC commercial vehicles. Universal Motors is introducing special financial incentives and logistical support to fully facilitate MMBL borrowers.

    “We are hopeful that our collaboration with MMBL will drive our shared ambition of supplementing the economic development of Pakistan.”

    Ericsson organizes virtual event for Jazz Pakistan
  • ITMinds, InfraZamin sign pact for back-office services

    ITMinds, InfraZamin sign pact for back-office services

    KARACHI: InfraZamin Pakistan Limited (InfraZamin) and ITMinds Limited (ITMinds), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Central Depository Company of Pakistan Limited (CDCPL), have signed an agreement enabling ITMinds to provide Back Office Accounting Services to InfraZamin.

    The agreement was signed by Ms. Maheen Rahman CEO-InfraZamin, and Iqleem-uz-Zaman Khan CEO-ITMinds in the presence of Badiuddin Akber Director-ITMinds and CEO-CDCPL, Waqas Ashraf CFO- ITMinds, Khusro Iqbal Mumtaz Chief Risk Officer-InfraZamin and other management team members from both sides.

    InfraZamin is licensed to act as an investment finance company and is an initiative by the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG), including PIDG group companies InfraCo Asia Investments (InfraCo Asia) and GuarantCo Limited (GuarantCo), in partnership with non-profit Karandaaz Pakistan (Karandaaz) to establish a for-profit, credit enhancement facility for raising infrastructure-related debt in Pakistan.

    Commenting on the occasion, Ms. Maheen Rahman CEO InfraZamin, said that we look forward to working with IT Minds under this arrangement which will enable the InfraZamin team to focus on our core business function of credit guarantees.

    Also commenting on the occasion, Badiuddin Akber, Director ITMinds & CEO-CDCPL, said that considering this is an era of specialization, we have commissioned  ITMinds with an aim to enable asset management companies, investment finance companies, and other organizations to outsource their back-office functions to a competent and reliable BPO partner, thus relieving them to focus on their core businesses for their commercial success while achieving efficiency, scalability & transparency of processes.