The IT ministry, in its various policy directives, directed the PTA from time to time to control grey traffic effectively, but there was no proper compliance, says IT secretary. DESIGN: CREATIVE COMMON
Information Technology Secretary Kamran Ali Qureshi has said grey traffic has increased considerably in the country and underlined the need for steps to be taken to control it as quickly as possible.
He was speaking at a follow-up meeting on monitoring of grey traffic under the supervision of International Clearing House (ICH), at the Ministry of Information Technology here on Tuesday, says a press release issued by the IT ministry.
Member telecom told the meeting participants that prior to the establishment of ICH Exchange, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority monitored grey traffic in the country. The IT ministry, in its various policy directives, directed the PTA from time to time to control grey traffic effectively, but there was no proper compliance, he said.
According to the release, the previous government introduced ICH policy to control grey traffic. Procurement of monitoring equipment was also to be made under the said policy.
Two weeks ago, a high-level meeting, chaired by the IT secretary, was also held at the IT ministry, in which all stakeholders including the PTA, law enforcing agencies and the ICH consortium participated.
They agreed that monitoring equipment would be installed at the ICH and its interface would be provided at a suitable place designed by the ministry for joint operation of the PTA and security agencies under the ministry’s supervision.
They also agreed that a committee, under the chairmanship of IT additional secretary, would oversee monitoring of the operating system. The committee would comprise two representatives each from the PTA, security agencies and the IT ministry. The committee was also given the task of upgrading the system.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 7th, 2013.
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We are great in developing new methods to bypass the laws. We are expert (even living in foreign countries) in getting cheap/free phone and cable/satellite services. We have made an industry out of it just like we have billions of Rs. of pirated movies, music industry in Pakistan.
Poor job by reporter to not explain grey traffic. Can some commentator kindly explain ? Is that same as when Skype is used to make VoIP call to a person in Pakistan ?
70% of he overseas calls I receive are from Grey traffic.....a local cell number appears as calling person
Member Telecom had been working in PTA and knows very well that without Authority, nothing can be implemented. Whatever measures are being take to stop the illegal traffic are by the efforts of PTA and there has been no system upgrade for years. If members and chairman of PTA are not appointed by the government, the situation would not improve. Instead of blaming PTA for stopping grey traffic, government should appoint members of the Authority, if at all some good results are required.
Surprise Surprise. This was bound to happen if you are going to increase the international calling rates by 600%. I use to call my relatives from the Uk regularly before the rates went up. Its not a rocket science. Slash the rates......
why is grey traffic
what is grey traffic ?