A detailed briefing was given by the ministry and on auction process of mobile cellular licences for spectrums 3G, 4G and LTE, according to a statement released by the ministry on Tuesday.
Members of the committee sought justification for allowing all technologies to be attained by successful bidders. The meeting was of the view that the base price should also be raised and fixed at $291 million instead of the current $210 million.
Members of the committee observed that corporate social responsibility on the part of service providers was not up to the mark and there was a dire need to initiate public welfare schemes.
It also expressed disappointment that UAE-based company Etisalat – the new management of Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) – had so far failed to pay the whole amount of privatisation, with $800 million still outstanding.
Senator Muhammad Idress Khan Safi, who presided the meeting, directed the concerned authorities to take immediate steps for the recovery of the outstanding dues and submitted a report to the committee.
The meeting was attended among others by Senators Muhammad Zahid Khan, Mir Muhabat Khan Marri, Pervaiz Rashid, Fauzia Fakhar-uz-Zaman and Salim Saifullah Khan. PTA chairman, telecom members, joint secretary and other senior officials of the ministry and PTA were also present.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 15th, 2012.
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