Tag: PTA)

Islamabad, September 08, 2020 (PPI-OT): In its continuous efforts to curtail grey telephone trafficking, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) in coordination with Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), carried out a successful raid in Multan.

The raid was conducted at Gulistan-e-Ashar Colony, Multan. During the raid, an illegal exchange comprising of 4 VoIP gateways, 4 USBs, 3 TP link routers, 2 laptops and a mobile device along with other equipment was recovered. One person was arrested from the premises. The ongoing successful raids are a demonstration of PTA’s continuous monitoring, commitment and persistent efforts made with the support of FIA in curtailing grey traffic.

For more information, contact:
Public Relations,
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA)
PTA Headquarters, Sector F- 5/1, Islamabad – 44000, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-2878152
Fax: +92-51- 9219921
Email: pr@pta.gov.pk
Website: https://www.pta.gov.pk

Islamabad, September 03, 2020 (PPI-OT): Due to PTA’s monitoring and continuous efforts of Cellular Mobile Operators (CMOs), about 97.5% affected cell phone sites have been restored in Karachi while efforts are underway to achieve hundred percent restoration.

As of today, total 5433 cell sites are operational in the city and 136 are being restored. Some operators have already made all their sites up and running. PTA continues to monitor the situation and assures the consumers that services in all affected areas will be restored soon.

For more information, contact:
Public Relations,
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA)
PTA Headquarters, Sector F- 5/1, Islamabad – 44000, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-2878152
Fax: +92-51- 9219921
Email: pr@pta.gov.pk
Website: https://www.pta.gov.pk

Islamabad, August 29, 2020 (PPI-OT): It has been reported in certain sections of media that mobile service is not currently available in some areas of Karachi due to incessant rains for last few days. It is clarified that main reason for the unavailability of mobile services is the “closure of mobile services in connection with security of Muharram processions”. Till filing of this report, less than 13% of the mobile sites are affected due to rains. Key reasons of disruption include non-availability of grid power for prolonged periods and inability of maintenance teams to reach at sites for refuelling of generators due to accumulated rain water.

Mobile operators are continuously striving to maintain uninterrupted services. PTA has directed the operators to speed up the restoration process of sites affected by heavy rains.

For more information, contact:
Public Relations,
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA)
PTA Headquarters, Sector F- 5/1, Islamabad – 44000, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-2878152
Fax: +92-51- 9219921
Email: pr@pta.gov.pk
Website: https://www.pta.gov.pk

Islamabad, August 23, 2020 (PPI-OT): Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) in coordination with local police and Magistrate, carried out a successful raid against illegal internet service provider in Mirpur.

The raid was conducted at Mohala New Jabbar Chechian. During the raid, illegal Internet service provider setup and allied equipment was confiscated. Further investigation is underway.

The successful raid proves PTA’s commitment and persistent efforts to curb illegal internet activities for a healthy internet ecosystem.

For more information, contact:
Public Relations,
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA)
PTA Headquarters, Sector F- 5/1, Islamabad – 44000, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-2878152
Fax: +92-51- 9219921
Email: pr@pta.gov.pk
Website: https://www.pta.gov.pk

Islamabad, August 21, 2020 (PPI-OT):Chairman PTA, Maj Gen Amir Azeem Bajwa (R), HI(M) planted a tree near PTA Headquarters, Islamabad. He urged PTA officers and officials to plant trees for coming generations. Member Finance, Muhammed Naveed and Member Compliance and Enforcement, Dr. Khawar Siddique Khokhar also planted trees. PTA Officers and Officials were also present at the event.

For more information, contact:
Public Relations,
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA)
PTA Headquarters, Sector F- 5/1, Islamabad – 44000, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-2878152
Fax: +92-51- 9219921
Email: pr@pta.gov.pk
Website: https://www.pta.gov.pk

Islamabad, August 18, 2020 (PPI-OT): Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) issued two Third Party Service Provider (TPSP) licenses in 2018 to Virtual Remittance Gateway (VRG) (Pvt) Ltd and Digital Bridge (Pvt) Ltd (DBL) aimed to bring unbanked population into formal banking services. However, it has been noted that VRG while violating the legal framework and license conditions, has started an ill-intended campaign in a section of media, to malign the regulator and influence regulatory decisions.

To expedite availability of Asaan Mobile Account (AMA) scheme for general public, PTA provided all facilitation to TPSP licensees, through series of meetings and discussion spanned over several months in order to resolve the technical and financial issues between all stakeholders. However, VRG instead of recognising the efforts of PTA, has tried to malign the regulator by publishing twisted facts.

In fact, VRG has tried to put the burden of its own failures on the part of regulator. VRG has alleged in the media that PTA has delayed issuance of commencement certificate for commercial operations since Jan 2020, whereas SBP issued authorization to VRG for commercial launch on 9th April, 2020. As a consequence of SBP authorization and completing commercial agreement with mobile operator, VRG applied to PTA for commencement certificate on 4th August, 2020.

It is clarified that issuance of commencement certificate requires submission of commercial agreements by a TPSP licensee with all the Cellular Mobile Operators (CMOs). Since completion of pilot launch and inspection of VRG system in Jan 2020, PTA has repeatedly been urging VRG to expedite and submit commercial agreements for issuance of commencement certificate.

However, VRG was unable to submit any commercial agreement since last 6 months until 4th August, 2020 that too with only one operator i.e. Jazz. Even the agreement with Jazz is conditional on VRG’s agreements with other operators. Under VRG’s license conditions, a 30 days prior notice is required by VRG for commencement. Hence, there is no delay on part of PTA in issuance of commencement certificate and the same will be issued after fulfilment of Quality of Service conditions and evaluation of the commercial agreement.

VRG has also reported that it has signed an agreement with SCO which has mandate to operate cell phone services in AJ and K and GB. VRG has even not been awarded any TPSP license for AJ and K and GB, a requirement to operate in AJ and K and GB. Therefore, VRG’s commercial agreement with SCO is misleading to the general public. TPSP licensee is also required to submit its agreements to the regulator, however, no agreement with SCO has been submitted yet by VRG.

Furthermore, VRG has blatantly alleged a fair regulator to favour other TPSP licensee (DBL) to put pressure on the regulator well before the 30 days notice for processing of commencement certificate, which ends on 4th September 2020. It clearly indicates licensee’s intention of covering any shortfalls in commercial agreements and technical design through pressure tactics. PTA stays committed for an early commercial launch of AMA scheme, ensuring fulfilment of all technical parameters as defined in TPSP license, related IM and subsequent clarifications.

For more information, contact:
Public Relations,
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA)
PTA Headquarters, Sector F- 5/1, Islamabad – 44000, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-2878152
Fax: +92-51- 9219921
Email: pr@pta.gov.pk
Website: https://www.pta.gov.pk

Islamabad, August 14, 2020 (PPI-OT): On 14th August 2020, Virtual Remittance Gateway Pvt Ltd (VRG) through advertisements in the press claimed that it is “Commercially operational for Asaan Mobile Account (AMA) scheme with Jazz and SCO”. In the larger public interest it is clarified that Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has not yet issued Commencement Certificate to VRG for Commercial Operations of AMA Scheme in Pakistan.

Moreover, for AJ and K and GB, VRG has even not been awarded any Third Party Service Provider (TPSP) license. Hence, general public is advised not to undertake any commercial activity till all the license conditions for commercial launch of AMA scheme have been met by VRG as per TPSP License. PTA has already directed VRG to immediately stop any such commercial operations in relation to AMA scheme until PTA issues commencement certificate to VRG.

For more information, contact:
Public Relations,
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA)
PTA Headquarters, Sector F- 5/1, Islamabad – 44000, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-2878152
Fax: +92-51- 9219921
Email: pr@pta.gov.pk
Website: https://www.pta.gov.pk