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Tag: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority

  • PTA suspends PUBG

    PTA suspends PUBG

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Wednesday suspended online gaming application namely PUBG with immediate effect due to adverse effect on children health.

    According to a statement issued by the authority it had received complaints from different segments of society. Therefore, it has been decided to suspend the PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) game.

    The PTA has received numerous complaints against PUBG wherein it is stated that the game is addictive, wastage of time and poses serious negative impact on physical and psychological health of the Children.

    The authority noted that cases of suicide attribute to PUBG game were reported. The Lahore High Court (LHC) has also directed PTA to look into the issue and decide the matter after hearing the complaints. In this regard, a hearing is being conducted on July 09, 2020.

    The authority also decided to solicit views of the public with reference to the said online game. In this regard public is encouraged to provide feedback through [email protected] by July 10, 2020.

  • Pakistan imports mobile phones worth Rs18.2 billion in March

    Pakistan imports mobile phones worth Rs18.2 billion in March

    KARACHI: Pakistanis have spent Rs18.2 billion for import of mobile phones in March 2020 despite the reality of business halt after lockdown to contain coronavirus.

    According to data released by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the import of mobile phones was at Rs18.2 billion in March 2020 as compared with Rs16.13 billion worth mobile phones imported in February 2020, which is 12.72 percent higher.

    The import is 65 percent is higher in the month of March 2020 when compared with Rs11 billion in the same month of the last year.

    Industry sources explained that the rise in import of mobile phones was due to return of many Pakistanis living abroad due to spread of coronavirus.

    They said overall import during the month contracted due to several restriction after the outbreak of coronavirus.

    The overall import of mobile phone increased by 107.76 percent to Rs153 billion in July – March 2019/2020 as compared with Rs73.64 billion in the corresponding period of the last fiscal year.

    The unprecedented growth during the period was due to strict enforcement against smuggling of mobile phones. Besides, registration through a platform provided by Pakistan Telecom Authority (PTA) also encouraged the use of registered mobile phones in the country.

  • 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.

  • 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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  • 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.

  • Mobile phones import through legal channels surges by over 100pc on mandatory verification

    Mobile phones import through legal channels surges by over 100pc on mandatory verification

    ISLAMABAD: The import of mobile phones has increased by over 100 percent due to mandatory verification of International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI).

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  • Committee directs PTA to take harsh measures against hate speech on social media

    Committee directs PTA to take harsh measures against hate speech on social media

    ISLAMABAD: The Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat on Wednesday directed Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to take harsh measures against hate speech and religious intolerance on social media.

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  • PTA warns three-year jail for tampering communication devices

    PTA warns three-year jail for tampering communication devices

    KARACHI: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has warned harsh punishment including three years jail terms for persons tempering communication devices.

    The regulator on Friday warned that under prevailing law persons engaged in any unlawful activity such as tempering or altering communication equipment would be liable to harsh penalties.

    Section 18 of Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 explains penalties for tempering or altering communication devices.

    18. Tampering, etc. of communication equipment.- Whoever unlawfully or without authorization changes, alters, tampers with or re-programs unique devices identifier of any communication equipment including a cellular or wireless handset and starts using or marketing such device for transmitting and receiving information shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to three years or with fine which may extend to one million rupees or with both.

    The Act explains that a unique device identifier is an electronic equipment identifier which is unique to a communication device.

  • Pakistan spends Rs42.4 billion for import of mobile phones in three months

    Pakistan spends Rs42.4 billion for import of mobile phones in three months

    KARACHI: Pakistani nationals have spent Rs42.4 billion for import of mobile phones in three months despite challenging economic conditions.

    The import of mobile phones registered 71.5 percent growth to Rs42.4 billion during first quarter (July – September) of fiscal year 2019/2020 as compared with Rs24.72 billion in the corresponding period of the last year, official statistics revealed.

    It is interesting to note that the surge in import of mobile phones has been witnessed when the economy is facing challenges and imports of other things are on declining trend.

    Sources in Pakistan Customs said that the substantial increase in mobile phones was due to anti-smuggling measures taken by the government.

    They said that now a mobile phone would have active network only when it was verified through a system introduced by Pakistan Telecom Authority (PTA).

    The sources said that mobile devices are required to verify their IMEI through phone registration system of the PTA otherwise such phones would not have connections of existing cellular networks in the country.

    The source said that in the past a huge number of mobile phones were brought in the country without paying duty and taxes. But now those mobile that were not offered for registration would not be activated.

    The sources further attributed the sharp increase in value to massive decline in rupee value.

    In dollar term the import of mobile phones posted 35 percent increase to $269 million during first quarter of current fiscal year as compared with $199 million in the same period of the last fiscal year.

    The import of mobile phones in September 2019 witnessed even more sharp increase of 69 percent in dollar term and 113 percent in Pak Rupee term.

    In term of Rupees the country imported mobile phones worth Rs16.48 billion in September 2019 as compared with Rs7.73 billion in the same month of the last year.