Gilani gives Pakistan's 3G policy green light
Gilani presided over a meeting on 3G and Grey traffic and Additional Spectrum auction for Wireless Local Loop here at Prime Minister’s House where it was agreed that new international players as well as existing operators would also be invited for Instaphone licence auction being the sixth of the existing licensee in the country and not a new licensee.
Ministry of Information Technology gave a presentation on recommendations formulated by Cabinet Committee comprising Dr Hafeez Sheikh, Minister for Finance, Syed Naveed Qamar, Minister for Water and Power, and Ghos Baksh Mehr, Minister for Privatization and Dr Asim Hussain, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources.
The Cabinet committee recommendations pertain to the auction of 3G frequencies and defunct Instaphone licence along with allocated frequency simultaneously but in quick succession.
To encourage competition, it was decided that new international players as well as existing operators would also be invited for Instaphone licence auction being the sixth of the existing licensee in the country and not a new licensee.
Furthermore it was decided that three blocks of 10 MHZs each out of available 3G spectrums would be immediately offered for auction and existing operators can participate in this round as well. New players will also be invited but with provision that if new player is successful in bid then they would be eligible to resume operation only after March 2013 when moratorium on new licensing, as per previous cabinet committee decision, would expire.
More spectrums would be made available for 3/4 G services and offered for auction with the provision that winners of such auction will receive amended licences and allocated frequencies by March 2013 and as such will be able to start their services thereafter.
In order to ensure professionalism and transparency, it was also decided that a committee of Public Sector stakeholders including representatives from Ministries of Finance, Information Technology, PTA and representative of Frequency Allocation Board would supervise auction process. PTA would devise an appropriate methodology to conduct varying component of this auction as decided under the supervision of the Committee.
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@Ahmed: hey I know some ppl working in different Telecom companies of Pakistan according to them there is no issue of tech n equipment they have all the latest gadget for 3&4g but they aren't being issued the license. more over even the countries of Africa are now working totally on 3g are v worse then even them n countries like Bangladesh is on 3g. the reason of no licence is that our govt has a contract with a Dubai's Telecom company that we wont launch a new tech until march 2013 n it's approved by our Parliament
in bangladesh we have almost 100% mobile coverage but yet have 3g . Teletalk our one of the leading operator will start 3g within 26 march 2012.they already taken 3g license form btrc
The world is talking about and has in fact switched to 4G/LTE and Pakistani government is just going to issue licenses for 3G. No wonder we are behind.
yeah , i guess it's a late decision but also is a good decision , world has already reached at '4Gs & we still asking for '3G' & please tell me exect diffrence between '3G & 4G' thanx :)
@Haider:
Remote medical diagnostics, mobile money, distance education, info for farmers, womens health, remote security, remote electricity metering etc are some of the applications which can be monetized using 3G/HSPA. Given that operators can get 10 MHz paired spectrum in Pakistan is indeed good news. Quite a bit of data can be pumped in with 10 Mhz paired spectrum. And i believe the time is right too.. the prices of dongles, smartphones for 3G will come down and so would make them affordable for the common people of Pakistan.
Worst economic times to roll out 3G licenses - the frequency is going to go too cheap.
it is expected that 3G will come in Pakistan in end of 2012 - this news gives only idea that 3G is coming in Pakistan not a confirmed news when it come, I am sure when 3G will come in PK it prices will be too high ...
@Tahir: says 3/4 G mate
3G will add value in better utilization of the Frequency Spectrum for voice and data and cheaper data services by means of IHSPA (Internet High speed packet access)
It's up for the operators do go for 3G or directly for 4G but 4G compatible Dongles/Handsets are not common in Pakistan so Operators will think many times before launching 4G .......
In plain simple words, can somebody educate me what value will 3G add to our communication?????
Its already too late for 3G and in most cases where 3G is deployed its used for data/PS services and voice is preferred over 2G, so with 4G for data and a fall back to 2G for voice is the best suited option rather wasting money on 3G infrastructure.
c,mon guys dont be such a pessimistic atleast we have 3g and once we have 3G we will be able to get 4G soon
These gays are now thinking of 3G network approval while world has moved to 4G system for wireless networks .... why They are not direct moving to 4G???????????????? if anybody knows kindly inform me at morai.zuhaib@gmail.com
4G/LTE if motivation/incentive given by the regulatory authority today the technology is tested with international vendors in South East Asia, successfully. The vendors with 4G/LTE technology is desperate for test in developing countries in order to launch the product to developing countries as MENA region. Since the US has put a strict embargo on some companies for security agencies in US, the vendors may possibly lured to invest in Pakistan 4G/LTE licensee for nominal or no cost. Hence we possibly may have the technology
thank god they r taking 3g seriously now ...........!we r waiting for ti since 2008.!
does it say March 2013!
In order to move easily to 4G , they must go for 3G first, as it will be preferably feasible rather than moving from 2.75 to 4 directly, because the Telecom companies are looking forward to jump to 4G instead of introducing 3G, that wont be feasible for them and for the consumers
LTE networks were just made available recently, and only a couple of high-end smartphone handsets are LTE capable. Should go ahead and build the 3G/4G infrastructure first.
LTE only provides packet access with no support for circuit-switched voice. To support voice services, four different options are in play/consideration - 1. keeping voice on 3G, 2. use IMS, 3. use VoLGA (which is a system to use VoIP over the air with 2/3G MSC call control) and 4. Over the top VoIP (e.g. Skype). As you can see, that voice options are being standardized and are nothing close to maturity; which offers more reasons for pk gov/pta to move towards 3G for voice+data+video. Lets rev up telco market once again !!
@Tahir: I believe once we ll have some basic infrastructure it would be easy to go to G4 . Isn't it correct?
Finally, going to see 3G coming soon to this Country which is surrounded by the World of 4G. But, hope that 3G will be on the cards sooner.
Finally.....
The world is FAR from achieving "true" 4G capabilities. Moving to 3G is a very big step for Pakistan and it will really help increase the flow of communication and information. Please don't criticize our government as the late arrival of 3G is clearly a 'lack of infrastructure' issue. In fact, praise them for not being completely ignorant and actually allowing this technology to be implemented. Use this as an opportunity and not just another thing to whine about.
Isnt it too late for 3G...whats wrong with us. its LT time atleast give us 4G..
Does that mean we will have 3G service by "2013"? There will be no point for it then. I agree with the comment above.
Energy projects and services like 3G should not suffer due to kickback considerations and red tape ( ism). Even those who are sick in this regard should give up their subjectivity, for such projects are desperately needed without wastage of even a day. India is introducing 4G from July, 2012 and Russia is already using the same for last couple of years. Reasonably priced and sustained supply of energy and wireless connectivity can pull out absolute majority of People of Pakistan from deep ditch where they are still languishing and living a life near animal level. Neither independent Pakistan nor Islamic faith are taking care of them. We must benefit from Globalization of KRID ( Knowledge, research, innovation and development). World is knocking at our door, if we did not open the door , world will, anyhow, enter even by breaking the door or razing down the whole wall in its way.
When the world is moving towards 4G, we allow 3G.