3G/4G Auction in Pakistan Will Be on 23rd of April 2014
Posted by ALISON JOHNSON
In order to facilitate telecom companies in Pakistan, the Government of Pakistan has decided that 3G/4G auction will take place on 23rd of April 2014.
Minister of Finance Ishaq Dar was chairing the meeting of Spectrum Auction Advisory committee meeting and during this meeting the new date was finalized.
Previously the date for the auction was 7th of April 2014. Sealed biddings can be submitted by 14th of April 2014. Pakistan government has decided to accept the spectrum fee and bank guarantees in Pakistani Rupees rather than dollars and operators will be offered extra time in order to meet the obligations.
No new license will be issued for 3G/4G spectrum and mobile operators will be working under previous licenses. License fee and other obligations however are likely to remain same.
PTA chairman Dr. Syed Ismail Shah briefed the committee about the ongoing progress related to 3G/4G license auction. He informed the committee that introduction of new spectrum will allow users to download at high speed and they will be able to use many new applications. In addition many new employment opportunities will also surface with the introduction of 3G/4G spectrum.
Finance minister emphasized that PTA should ensure that the consumers get international standard and best quality of service and directed the committee to launch public awareness campaigns. Further he stressed over the transparency of the auction and expressed satisfaction over the progress made till yet.
He hoped that the new technology introduction will benefit the telecom industry and its users. The users will be able to utilize many new applications and services that were not possible before introduction of 3G/4G.
Committee met CEOs of different cellular mobile operators who seemed contended due to the fact that government has agreed to majority of their demands and has carried out everything to make the process transparent.
Meeting was attended by Mr. Zahid Hamid who is Minister for Science and Technology, Ms. Anusha Rehman who is the Minister of State for Information Technology, Dr. Waqar Masood who is the Finance Secretary, Secretary Ministry of Information Technology Mr. Ikhlaq Tarar and other senior officials related to Ministry of IT and Finance.
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