Spectrum sell-off : Transparent auction of 3G licences promised

IT minister assures govt support in the exercise in meeting with PTA acting chief.

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for IT and Telecom Anusha Rahman has assured strong government support and absolute transparency to the prospective investors bidding for the upcoming spectrum auction of next generation mobile services in Pakistan.

Rehman during her visit to Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) headquarters on Thursday assured PTA of her complete support and said that the ministry had issued the spectrum auction policy, following which the PTA must ensure a timely and successful auction.

Acting Chairman PTA, Dr Syed Ismail Shah presented different aspects of spectrum auction in Pakistan, says a press release.

“PTA is making necessary arrangements for spectrum auction for next generation mobile networks in accordance with the policy directive,” Shah said.

He said that PTA had constituted a team of senior officers who are working diligently to finalise different aspects of auction process under the supervision of the authority. Shah informed the minister that an advertisement was published in international and national media towards the hiring for consultants of international repute.

“With the launch of next generation service Pakistani cell phone subscribers will be able to transmit and receive high speed data through their mobile phones”, Shah added, saying that the high speed data would enable the possibility of video calls, internet browsing and downloading at a much higher speed which also includes usage of data intensive applications.

Secretary IT, Akhlaq Ahmad Tarar, Dr Syed Ismail Shah and other senior officers of the Ministry of Information Technology were present on this occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 25^th, 2013.

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