3G, 4G licence: Zong to pay full amount in one tranche

Company to clear $516m in one go, confirms CEO.


Azam Khan April 29, 2014
Chairman and CEO Zong Fan Yunjun addressing a press conference in Islamabad. PHOTO: INP

ISLAMABAD: Zong, a subsidiary of China Mobile, will pay $516 million in one tranche on account of licence fee for two next-generation spectrums, confirmed the company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Fan Yunjun.

While talking to The Express Tribune on the sidelines of a conference organised by the company to announce that it has got the sole licence for 4G from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Yunjun said that his company will clear all outstanding payment before expiry of the one-month deadline.

“This is a moment of pride as consumers will now have access to the most advanced telecom technology and this is our chance to prove ourselves as the ‘Indispensable Digital Life Partner for Life’ for every Pakistani,” the Zong chairman said.

CMPAK Limited, better known as Zong, bid the highest - $306.9 million - for a 3G licence in the 10MHz band, making it eligible for a 4G licence at the base price of $210 million. The base price for 3G was set at $295 million. Of the total $1.112 billion earned by the government, Zong paid $516.92 million for the two licences.

Responding to a question whether Warid’s bid to provide 4G services without acquiring a licence, Yunjun said he was not entirely sure but Warid should create a balance in providing services.

When asked about the rates, Dr Yunjun said that Pakistan’s tariff is the cheapest in the world.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 30th, 2014.

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COMMENTS (4)

Dawood | 9 years ago | Reply

Extensive loadsheddings of electricity, low gas pressures, no drinking water, no proper sanitation systems, no roads, no law & order, rates of basic necessities like milk, flour, rice, sugar so high and our people are celebrating 3G & 4G technologies...Wow

Jamal | 9 years ago | Reply

Enjoy Free 3G trial service of Telenor and its really fun...

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