PTCL-backed MergeCo eyes 5G rollout

Ufone-Telenor merged company to optimise spectrum, expand network capabilities

ISLAMABAD:

President and Chief Executive Officer of PTCL and Ufone, Hatem Bamatraf, announced on Wednesday that PTCL and the merged telecom company, which includes Ufone and Telenor Pakistan, will participate in the upcoming 5G spectrum auction.

He added that the authorities will consider the concerns of the telecom industry and release the spectrum during the 5G auction at conducive terms.

He was addressing a news conference along with the top management of Telenor Pakistan formally announcing the acquisition of 100% of issued share capital of Telenor Pakistan and Orion Towers at Rs108 billion.

Meanwhile, the CEO PTCL did not respond to the pending issue of release of $800 million that Etisalat management was holding since 2006, when the management of the PTCL was transferred to UAE based Etisalat.

The Telenor Pakistan and Orion Towers has become 100% owned subsidiaries of PTCL, alongside Pak Telecom Mobile Limited (PTML) — Ufone and U Microfinance Bank.

However, Telenor Pakistan will continue to operate as a separate legal entity during the next 5-6 months as the Ufone and Telenor Pakistan will be integrated as merged entity (MergeCo) by the telecom sector regulator the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the Islamabad High Court.

Bamatraf said that the MergeCo will expand network capabilities, optimise spectrum resources, and deliver seamless, secure, and digitally enabled services designed around evolving customer needs and aligned with Pakistan's digital ambitions.

He assured the employees of Telenor Pakistan that there would be no threat to their jobs and said, "I warmly welcome our colleagues and want to assure them that this transition is rooted in respect for people, continuity of talent, and thoughtful integration of industry best practices. Together, we will build a stronger, future-ready organisation that serves customers better, empowers its people, and advances Pakistan's digital future."

Meanwhile, in another development the newly established Board of Directors of Telenor Pakistan appointed Awais Vohra as the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the company, Telenor Pakistan, which is now an autonomous subsidiary of PTCL following the completion of all regulatory approvals.