It may be that the new services will ‘spark’ the smartphone market, but with the vast majority of users still using 1 or 2G technologies there is much that is speculative about the near future. PHOTO: FILE
It may be remembered that the previous government was at one point talking of raising up to $4 billion from the sales, which was never realistic and the $1.112 billion that the sale raised on April 23 slightly exceeded government expectations. The auction appears to have been conducted in a transparent manner and was widely followed both online and on the TV channels. Nobody has cried ‘foul’ and it is now for the telecom providers to see who is going to be the first to roll out genuine 3G or 4G services. However, claims by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar that the introduction of the new technologies will create ‘hundreds of thousands’ of new jobs have to be viewed with a degree of scepticism.
As to what the sale is going to mean to the average user in Pakistan, the picture is far from clear. Firstly, there is the matter of just how many users are going to get the most from the new services.
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority figures as of January 2014 say that teledensity in Pakistan is over 77 per cent and that there are almost 130 million mobile phone users. However, only under five per cent of these are smartphone users. Another concern is tariffs and pay-plans. Until the packages are rolled out we will not know how much it is going to cost the average user, but whatever it is, it is going to be more than they pay currently. Data-hungry internet apps like game downloads and multiplayer games will become accessible — but only to the minority with the upmarket handsets able to maximise their online experience.
It may be that the new services will ‘spark’ the smartphone market, but with the vast majority of users still using 1 or 2G technologies there is much that is speculative about the near future. Caveats aside, this is good news which we welcome wholeheartedly.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 26th, 2014.
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The author of this article is a little ignorant about 3G and 4G LTE technology and its use. If the author had any real idea they would be able to explain to there readers the potential uses of 3G/4G LTE. If you look all over the world you can see how the technology has and is been used. For example in the Gulf region, LTE is used as an alternative to home broadband by telephone. LTE has the advantage that the device which receives the signal is mobile and so can take it with you or move its position freely as its not physically connect by a wire to the telephone unlike the PTCL Broadband or others. secondly there is a huge difference in download speed. most people in the cities have internet and use it, the article suggest that most people are in the dark ages and don't have internet.
As for 3G it will be available on most if not all handsets in Pakistan which will also improve internet via the mobile handset, good for social media and general internet use on the go outside.
I for one and hopeful and optimistic of the introduction of the technology and inshallah with time the price will be competitive.
Lastly congratulations Pakistan and Zong for 4G LTE service introduction. Pakistan Zindabad byindabad.
I suspect 3G rollout will take place quickly. Smartphones cost more but China makes decent entry level smartphones which won't break the bank and are will no doubt be very popular. What remains to be seen is "coverage area".
1G is analog. I don't think there is a 1G mobile network in Pakistan.