Government set to finalise policy on 3G licence auction soon

Advisory Committee headed by Finance Minister to finalise proposal and oversee auction.

ISLAMABAD: The government will push a proposed policy for the 3G telecommunication network licence auction during a meeting of an advisory committee on Thursday, a Senate panel was told on Wednesday.

The Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunications was informed that the auction and licensing process of much awaited 3G technology will be re-initiated once policy directive on the spectrum auction is finalised.

The Senate panel, with Senator Muhammad Idrees Khan Safi in the chair, was also informed that Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has now received the notification of the Ministry whereby an Advisory Committee has been constituted.

This Advisory Committee, to be chaired by Minister of Finance, will examine and finalise policy directive on spectrum auction for next generation networks (3G).

The newly appointed Acting Chairman of PTA Dr Ismail Shah informed the Committee that as per direction of Apex Court the process of appointment of Chairman and Members has been completed and assured all matters including auction of 3G licensing would be resolved transparently. Further, the Advisory Committee will also oversee the auction process of 3G licenses.

Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecom (IT&T), Anusha Rehman, who was also present in the meeting, said the government was committed to the transparent auction of 3G technology, which will not only upgrade mobile network infrastructure but will also generate revenue for the country.

Rahman pointed towards the appointment of Dr Ismail Shah, and other members on merit as proof of the government’s commitment to the auction of 3G spectrum.

Grey traffic

During the meeting, numerous questions were raised with regards to grey telephony.

Rahman said that the Prime Minister has constituted a high-powered committee to examine the existing monitoring system installed at PTA to curb grey trafficking, causing losses of billion rupees to the national exchequer.

Afghan roaming facilities to be curbed

The Senate panel also brought up issues with roaming facilities of Afghan networks which allow terrorists to communicate and conduct terror activities.

The PTA Chairman informed the panel that the government of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has been sent a letter which requests that mobile phone roaming service with Afghanistan be suspended as part of security measures being adopted to combat terrorism.