Telenor asks for compensation and other telcos decide to follow suit. PHOTO: FILE
Sources told ProPakistani that Telenor revealed they make special arrangements with high costs on special events: Eid, Muharram, Ishq-e-Rasool day, Rabiul Awal among other days. Telenor went on to explain ProPakistani that they faced loss of Rs163 million in year 2012 and January 2013 due to PTA’s order of suspension of services. Telenor’s special arrangements hence, go in vain which are done to earn higher profits.
ProPakistani quoted Telenor as saying that the government should also compensate operators as they also face losses on such days.
The services were suspended under 54(3) of Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) Act which is not applicable in current situation and even if it is, they are liable to “compensate any licensee whose facilities or services are affected.” The act is as follows:
54. National Security
(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any law for the time being in force, in the interest of national security or in the apprehension of any offence, the Federal Government may authorise any person or persons to intercept calls and messages or to trace calls through any telecommunication system.
(2) During a war or hostilities against Pakistan by any foreign power or internal aggression or for the defense or security of Pakistan, the Federal Government shall have preference and priority in telecommunication system over any licensee.
(3) Upon proclamation of emergency by the President, the Federal Government may suspend or modify all or any order or licences made or issued under this Act or cause suspension of operation, functions or services of any licensee for such time as it may deem necessary.
Provided that the Federal Government may compensate any licensee whose facilities or services are affected by any action under this sub-section.
ProPakistani said, MoIT has been ignoring all former efforts of Telenor to make them understand their losses. All other cellular companies plan to write complaint letters to MoIT. ProPakistani further said that these companies are planning to go to court if the government refuses to hear Telecommunication companies’ demands.
Consumers are part of the group which is struck by 54(3) Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation Act). It should be noted that post paid customers are charged with daily rental even when services are suspended and prepaid ones fall prey to service charge deductions like bundles, LBC offers and so on. Consumers have long been forgotten by all cellular companies including Telenor Pakistan.
COMMENTS (23)
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Courage is the last of the bunch which opens the door, at least we have cheeks to see what reality is.. yes indeed why should we suffer for someone else's follies and insecurities.. If the govt. is not capable enough to provide us protection and all it can do is to shut down the network then they should be responsible to bear our losses..
Courage is the last of the bunch which opens the door, at least we have cheeks to see what reality is.. yes indeed why should we suffer for someone else's follies and insecurities.. If the govt. is not capable enough to provide us protection and all it can do is to shut down the network then they should be responsible to bear our losses..
Courage is the last of the bunch which opens the door, at least we have cheeks to see what reality is.. yes indeed why should we suffer for someone else's follies and insecurities.. If the govt. is not capable enough to provide us protection and all it can do is to shut down the network then they should be responsible to bear our losses.
Courage is the last of the bunch which opens the door, at least we have cheeks to see what reality is.. yes indeed why should we suffer for someone else's follies and insecurities.. If the govt. is not capable enough to provide us protection and all it can do is to shut down the network then they should be responsible to bear our losses.. We indeed have done it and are proud to be a part of a great organization.
Rs 163 million? No problem. The Govt will just ask the telcos to deduct it from the taxes they owe to the Govt and settle the balance :)
P.S. Its higher REVENUES that are targeted on special occasions and not PROFITS.
Consumers have long been forgotten?
My dear Ones,
It is requested to read the above mentioned articles from the rules book set by PTA, it is the formal contract among the celluler companies and the govt of Pakistan. It is clearly mentioned that service can either be suspended in war condition or in emergency called by the president of Pakistan. So, by rules, govt has illegally suspended the services. And what company is demending is the loss they faced fromk this suspension in last two months. As they pay the collective ammount to the govt in advance for the same, other than the taxes they get out of it. Secondly, if you guys are talking about the verification of data, let me share the stats with you. Telenor is the company whose new subs are 100 % verified and the verification of the existing customers are completed by 95 %, which is the highest among the competetore, and one more point, that company has to verify these numbers by compromising their own bussiness goals, and profits. So let them suffer from once side, not to put all the pressure on them. It is so easy for a company like telenor to pack up and leave from pakistan, when they already are operating in 17 other countries around the globe. But if they did, what would be the future of the thousands of employees working with this group, they are all pakistanis. And you people know the fact, that telecom sector is the 2nd highest in the country to pay taxes, afterthe power generation and distribution companies. So, it won't harm them that much to pack up, but it will blow up Pakistan's economy on whole. Suspension of service is not the solution to the problem. If you go like this, then why not suspend the marry making in FATA and tribal areas, as they produce terrorists, why not shut down the factories to avoid incidents like Baldia, why don't we stop using of motor bike, as terrorist mostly used it for mobilization. Solution to problem never is to cut the root cause, people have elected them for polocy making, not making their lives more miserable. It is not celluler companies failure , it is RM's failure. If he focuses on action rather than just words, Pakistan might find the alternatives to handle such issues, in proper manner.
Although i am not a fan of RM but i think gov. should have the authority to suspend services like this. Blocking networks is not a long term solution but in the short term no one can deny the effectiveness of this method, i sometimes pity the guy RM, he has a tough job to say the least and then he doesn't help himself by saying stupid things when they are uncalled for. P.S. What abt the poor service provided by all the telcos, do they pay their customers for that? and illegal sim sale was never stopped by them just to earn some money.
i think if u people really wants any companies to have their business in your country ,u have to make policies according to their interest,other thing you people have some internal problems you have to get throw them
This amount (along with compensation claims by all other telecom operators) should be recovered from the personal wealth of Dr Rahman Malik.
Oopa What if the govt didn't pay? Is Telenor planning to go? :|
@yousuf: ya right.... is 163m there net income or sales? is it a plot to embezzle 163m from national exchequer?
company can not demand compensation for the notional/ anticipated income for special arrangement made by them on special occasions but services got suspended). Company very well knows that no compensation shall be paid . This step is aimed to deter the government for suspension of cellular services in future on any security apprehension..
Rs163m?
I would be surprised if the government managed to pay "Rs163"
cellphone companies deserve this!
@Wasim: Even the Post-Paid sims are not the standard now, as someone in the franchise had faked my signatures to register 6 post-paid sims in my name without my knowledge! I had to go through a lot to remove those sims from my cnic! So ultimately... RM zindabad :/
And if there happens a bomb blast triggered through telenore network , should they take the resposibility ?
Will the Telenore pay for the damages ?
Government has agreed to pay if 50% will be paid back to support fund created for poor elected members of ruling collation starting from very top to very bottom.
How can cellular companies demand compensation from the government, if they aren't compensating their customers for lack of service during those days!
@Wasim: Mouth Breather.
Seems that it will be the first step for Telenor to shut down their shops...... Asking Govt to pay Rs. 163m ?????
@Parvez: Socho If govt had to pay, then ultimately tax payers had to pay who are actual effctee of this suspension. Why cellular comanies do not undertake to register all SIMs and record all call data like post paid connections to avoid such losses in future. RM zindabad
If anyone should pay .................it should be RM.