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Category: IT & Telecom

IT & Telecom news covering technology trends, digital innovation, telecom updates, software, hardware, and the latest developments in the tech industry.

  • Deduction of withholding tax on phone cards begins

    Deduction of withholding tax on phone cards begins

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has started collecting withholding tax on phone cards on Friday following the judgment of the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP).

    The apex court a day earlier in its judgment said that it would not interfere the taxation matter. The superior court itself suspended the taxation on phone cards in June 2018 after taking suo moto notice.

    The FBR started up to 12.50 percent withholding tax on prepaid card of mobile phones.

    Besides, the provinces have also started collecting sales tax on services on mobile phones usage at 17 to 19.50 percent.

    In the federal capital territory the FBR is collecting federal excise duty on mobile phones in sales tax mode.

    However, the service charges of mobile phone companies were still undecided as the apex court had not issued any such orders.

  • Engro Corp announces Rs7.5 billion investment in telecom infrastructure

    Engro Corp announces Rs7.5 billion investment in telecom infrastructure

    KARACHI: Pakistan’s premier conglomerate, Engro Corporation, has announced investment in telecom infrastructure.

    The investment has been approved by board of directors of the corp. in its meeting held on April 25, 2019. The BoD also approved financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2019.

    Engro Corporation, in light of its long-term strategy, has streamlined its businesses in four verticals namely Food & Agriculture, Energy & Related Infrastructure, Petrochemicals and Telecommunications Infrastructure; focused on creating value and helping Pakistan resolve these pressing issues.

    In order to develop potential business opportunities in the telecommunications infrastructure vertical, the Company had earlier set up Enfrashare (Private) Limited.

    Enfrashare will accelerate development of the country’s connectivity infrastructure, thereby providing an opportunity for people to be part of the new digital era.

    As an initial investment, Enfrashare will engage in the acquisition & construction of shared telecom towers, provision of various telecommunication infrastructure & related services, including state of the art network monitoring solutions.

    “To enable this, the Directors have approved an investment of Rs7.5 billion in this vertical,” a statement said on Friday.

    Ghias Khan, President & CEO Engro Corporation said: “Investments in energy, telecommunications infrastructure, petrochemicals and food and agriculture can accelerate change, help towards increasing exports, substitution of imports, industrialization in the country, job creation and hence build a stronger Pakistan.”

    “Engro Corporation will continue to explore investment opportunities across these four identified verticals with a focus to improve the lives of our stakeholders and communities in which we live and work with a culture founded on truth, trust and a relentless pursuit of excellence.”

    Furthermore, to continue building on Engro’s experience in the Petrochemical sector and keeping with its strategic ambitions that the Company will seek investment opportunities in this vertical, the Board of Directors approved the commencement of a feasibility study of a polypropylene facility based on a propane dehydrogenation plant.

    This will also enable the company to initiate discussions with potential partners and/or stakeholders for developing this project.

    Investment in the Petrochemical sector will create opportunities for both substituting the imports & enhancing the export potential, thus help in building foreign currency reserves of the country.

    Simultaneously with a view to expand its footprint outside Pakistan and to explore potential trading opportunities, the Board has also approved the acquisition of 100 percent shares of Engro Eximp FZE, a wholly owned subsidiary of Engro Fertilizers Limited, for Rs1.76 Billion (subject to adjustments at the date of closing of the transaction and corporate approvals).

    The company’s consolidated revenue grew by 21 percent in comparison to the prior period, driven by higher Urea sales in the Fertilizer business.

    The Company posted a consolidated profit-after-tax (PAT) of Rs6,565 million compared to PKR 6,837 million for the prior period.

  • PTCL upgrades network services in seven cities

    PTCL upgrades network services in seven cities

    KARACHI: Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has transformed 13 more exchanges in 7 cities as part of its Network Transformation Project (NTP).

    The upgraded exchanges include Ghakhar, Vaniawala and Pasroor Road exchanges in Gujranwala, Shahdara, Egerton Road and Bahria Town exchanges in Lahore, Chaklala & Islamabad Town exchanges in Islamabad, Charsadda Road & Cantt. exchanges in Peshawar, Sargodha Road exchange in Faisalabad, Wah Cantt. exchange in Rawalpindi and Kharian exchange in Kharian.

    Through PTCL’s new network, customers can experience a faster and more reliable internet based on the company’s enhanced copper network, along with a new fiber network. The upgraded exchanges under NTP have already resulted in a 40% reduction of customer complaints.

    Jahanzeb Taj, Chief Business Operating Officer, PTCL, said, “Under NTP, PTCL has invested considerably in transforming and upgrading its top 100 exchanges, which have the highest number of customers in major cities.

    “As a result, customers can now experience a quality network that offers high speed unlimited internet, state-of-the-art technology, seamless surfing and unlimited data streaming, all of which is vital in today’s digitally connected world.”

    PTCL customers can view the upgraded exchanges through company’s official website and subscribe to 8, 15, 25, 50 and 100 mbps unlimited internet packages offered in transformed exchanges with free PTCL calls, unlimited downloads, free PTCL Smart TV & Smart TV App and free Wi-Fi router.

    The company is striving to provide better services and improved network quality to customers’ fora truly digital lifestyle.

  • PTCL, Zong 4G collaborate for network expansion in remote areas

    PTCL, Zong 4G collaborate for network expansion in remote areas

    KARACHI: Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) and Zong 4G have entered into a strategic partnership for network expansion in remote and far-flung areas of the country.

    The collaboration will ensure provision of VSAT services by PTCL to further support and expand the network coverage across the country.

    The agreement was signed by Saad Muzaffar Waraich, Chief Technology & Information Officer, PTCL, and Li Wenyu, Chief Financial Officer, ZONG 4G, during the ceremony held at Zong 4G Headquarters in the presence of the senior management and officials of respective companies.

    The collaboration will ensure state-of-the-art VSAT satellite services to further enhance the network coverage and enabling customers from remote areas to enjoy increased speed through Zong 4G’s widest coverage.

    Being the most experienced in the domain of satellite communication, PTCL also has extensive ground support, operation and implementation infrastructure to serve a variety of satellite communication applications.

    The company will offer a complete spectrum of end-to-end connectivity to Zong 4G designated sites.

    Speaking on the occasion, Saad Muzaffar Waraich, Chief Technology & Information Officer, PTCL, said, “We are pleased to sign the agreement with ZONG 4G. PTCL has been serving as the communication backbone of the country since inception of Pakistan and this partnership will help them to expand their high-quality voice and data services to the underserved markets of Pakistan.

    “We are at the forefront of leading the digitization across Pakistan through such partnerships. PTCL continues to play its role in the development of telecom infrastructure, contributing to the overall economic growth of the country.”

    Commenting on the partnership, Mannan Shabbir, Executive Director, Corporate Affairs Division & Company Spokesperson, said, “Being the first and the only operator with more than 10,000 4G sites across the country, Zong 4Gis providing the widest 4G coverage to the largest 4G subscriber base in the Pakistan at an unprecedented scale.

    “Our partnership with PTCL is a testament to our customer-centric approach by providing our customers with the best possible services and solutions through our ever-expanding data network. Leading digitalization efforts across Pakistan, we continue to thrive, not only in the mainstream cities, but also in far-flung and remote areas of Pakistan providing reliable and seamless connectivity.”

    As the winner of ‘Best in 4G services’ award by the Consumers Association of Pakistan and with more than 11 Million 4G customers, Zong 4G is the leading 4G operator of the country.

    Through its continued investment in the network and infrastructure, the company is enabling its customers in every nook and corner of the country to experience world-class 4G services.

    The collaboration will further enhance the digital agenda of Zong 4G and PTCL in empowering millions to remain connected anywhere and everywhere.

  • Clearance of mobile phones: Customs valuation of 234 brands, models issued

    Clearance of mobile phones: Customs valuation of 234 brands, models issued

    KARACHI: Pakistan Customs has issued valuation of 234 different brands and models of mobile phones for the purpose of determination of duty and taxes at clearance stage.

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  • SBP to expedite payment license issuance to FinTech companies

    SBP to expedite payment license issuance to FinTech companies

    KARACHI: State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) will expedite issuance of payment licenses to FinTech companies in order to accelerate financial inclusion program.

    A report on “Roadmap for Stability and Growth” issued by Finance Ministry, regarding financial inclusion program, stated that SBP to expedite issuance of Payment licenses to Fintech companies with established customer base; development of Micro Payment Gateway (MPG) for retail payments; facilitate expansion of national merchant integration into mobile payments and commence operationalization of Asaan Mobile Account (AMA) Scheme.

    It said that much remains to be done on financial inclusion. As of 2015, merely 16 percent of the adult population had a bank account, with account ownership for women standing at a dismal 11 percent, whereas a large segment of faith-sensitive population remained voluntarily excluded.

    Financing to priority sectors such as agriculture and housing remained constrained, with SMEs claiming a minuscule share.

    Moreover, regional disparities increased over time.

    The National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS), developed and adopted by the government in 2015, aimed at achieving inclusive economic growth through enhanced access to finance and deposit base, promotion of small and medium enterprises, easy and affordable access to finance to farmers, facilitation in low cost housing finance and provision of Shariah-compliant banking solutions.

    Digitization of payments across the country borders is a priority of the Government and the following targets have been set for achievement by 2023:

    Enhance usage of Digital Payments (65 million active digital transaction accounts, with gender segregation of 20 million accounts by Women).

    By digitizing government payments and receipts, automation of CDNS branches, and digitization of services provided by Pakistan Post the Government san kick start digitization of payments.

    Fiscal concessions may be offered on mobile phone duties (< Rs 8k), and sales tax for user charges for Data be refunded into subscriber account monthly by Telephone companies, against Government refunds, or suitable alternative method. To oversee progressive digitization of government payments and to coordinate regulatory enabling, the Government may consider institutionalizing centralized responsibility under a Chief Digital Officer at the Ministry of Finance. It would be necessary to hire a market professional for this function.

    • Enhance Deposit Base (Deposit-to-GDP ratio to 55 percent)

    • Promote SME Finance (Extend finance to 700,000 SMEs; 17 percent of the private sector credit)

    • Increase Agricultural Finance (Serve 6 million farmers through digitalized solutions; enhance annual disbursement to Rs1.8 trillion)

    • Enhance share of Islamic Banking (25 percent of the banking industry; increase branches of Islamic banks to 30 percent of the banking industry)

  • PTCL quarterly revenue grows by 11 percent

    PTCL quarterly revenue grows by 11 percent

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) on Wednesday announced group’s revenue growth by 11 percent for first quarter ended March 2019.

    The financial results announced at the Board of Directors’ meeting held in Islamabad on April 17, 2019.

    PTCL Group’s revenue for the quarter has grown YoY by 11 percent to Rs.33.5 billion as a result of an accelerated growth in the Ufone and Ubank revenues.

    Ufone revenue has increased double digits YoY, UBank, a microfinance banking subsidiary of PTCL, has shown significant growth of 53 percent in its quarterly revenue over last year.

    PTCL Group’s operating profit and net profit for the quarter have improved by 34 percent and 95 percent respectively as a result of the revenue growth.

    PTCL revenue of Rs.17.9 billion for the quarter is slightly lower than last year.

    PTCL’s flagship Fixed Broadband services posted revenue growth of 5.8 percent over last year.

    PTCL continues its journey to upgrade top 100 exchanges under Network Transformation Project (NTP) in different parts of Pakistan.

    For the 76 exchanges fully transformed to date in 12 cities YoY revenue growth is even higher at 12 percent and there is 40 percent reduction in customer complaints.

    Corporate business continued its growth momentum from a strong 2018 and has achieved a double digit growth YoY. Growth drivers for corporate business are Cloud Infrastructure, IT, Security and Managed Services projects.

    Wireless revenue for the quarter has declined on year-on-year basis due to strong competition by the cellular companies providing wireless data services.

    There is continued decline in domestic and international voice revenues due to illegal/grey traffic termination, continued conversion of subscribers to OTT and cellular services resulting in declining voice traffic volumes.

    PTCL posted a Net Profit after Tax which is 10 percent higher than last year.

    Operating profit for the quarter remained under pressure compared to last year mainly due to increase in operating cost on account of significant hike in power tariffs.

    However, non-operating income has increased due to higher income on investments as a result of significant increase in benchmark interest rates by the State Bank of Pakistan.

  • SRB suspends registration of IT firm for unrealistic input tax adjustment

    SRB suspends registration of IT firm for unrealistic input tax adjustment

    KARACHI: Sindh Revenue Board (SRB) has suspended sales tax registration of an information technology (IT) firm for unrealistic adjustment of input tax adjustment.

    According to a notice, the SRB suspended sales tax registration of M/s. Cube XS Weatherly (Pvt) Limited. The SRB said that the taxpayer had filed nil return for the tax periods from October 2013 to January 2019 and claimed / adjusted heavy amount of input tax wherein the input-to-output tax ratio is as much as 2,573 percent, which is neither economically possible nor is allowed under provision of Sindh Sales Tax Act, 2011.

    The SRB further said that the taxpayer had adjusted/claimed full amount of input tax without apportioning the same which was tantamount to tax fraud and was also contravention under provincial tax laws.

    The taxpayers had been asked in hearing on February 14, 2019 to furnish the copies of audited financial statements along with bifurcation of revenues/sales but registered person failed to do so.

    “The registered person has neither deposited the Sindh sales tax nor e-filed the returns for the tax period of February 2019,” the SRB said.

    The SRB directed the taxpayer to take remedial actions by April 25, 2019 to revoke the suspension.

    In case of non-satisfactory response or failure to take remedial measures on or before April 25, 2019 the case would be further proceeded for cancellation of the taxpayer’s registration with SRB, the notice said.

  • Adil Rashid appointed as CEO Wateen Telecom

    Adil Rashid appointed as CEO Wateen Telecom

    KARACHI: Wateen Telecom Board of Directors announced today that Adil Rashid has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the company effective April 22 and he will replace Rizwan Tiwana, who has resigned for personal reasons.

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  • PTCL facilitates payment for Netflix subscription

    PTCL facilitates payment for Netflix subscription

    KARACHI: Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has facilitated its customers for pay subscription of Netflix, the world’s leading internet entertainment service, in their monthly broadband bills.

    A statement on Monday said that the PTCL had partnered with Netflix. “This partnership will enable PTCL customers to easily pay for their Netflix subscription as part of their monthly PTCL broadband bills, eliminating the need to share additional credit card or debit card details.”

    New and existing PTCL customers can avail this service by simply registering at https://www.ptcl.com.pk/netflix.

    Speaking on this collaboration, Moqeem ul Haque, Chief Commercial Officer, PTCL, said, “Many PTCL customers enjoy the stellar content catalogue of Netflix through our broadband service that offers seamless high speed internet connectivity.

    “This encouraged us to offer them a convenient way to pay for their Netflix subscription through their monthly PTCL bills.”

    Speaking on the partnership, Tony Zameczkowski, Vice President, Business Development, Asia, Netflix, said: “The growing broadband internet ecosystem in Pakistan is fueling the rise of video consumption in the country.

    “Our association with PTCL enables their customers to seamlessly pay for their Netflix subscription, and enjoy the wide breadth of content from across the world on any internet connected screen.”

    PTCL provides digital lifestyle to its customers through its vast array of products and services, including international collaborations like Netflix that bring ease and convenience to the subscribers.