Recently, a meeting took place in which Mir Khan Muhammad Jamali, chairman, discussed the regulators for their poor voice and data services. He also notes that internet and voice services have deteriorated over the past five years. In addition, Dr. Khawar Siddique Khokhar, a member of Compliance and Enforcement while reporting to the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunications, a new fact. He said the Telecom operators are unwilling to invest in the country unless their average revenue per user (ARPU) is increased, excluding settling the tax related issues.
Telecom operators are not ready to invest in Pakistan
The poor telecom services, including data and voice, are sure to create hurdles in Pakistan’s upcoming general election. The committee members stated:
“Public pocket looting is being done by mobile companies as they pile up full charges for less than five seconds as calls drop due to poor signals across the country, including Parliament Lodges”
Naz Baloch even stated that Pakistan is the most sinister in the region regarding internet services and connectivity. The commission said that the mobile operators earned in the past and are still earning, which is why they operate in the country.
The PTA member told the committee that operators are facing multiple challenges related to high loads, the constraint on LCs, load shedding, high fuel prices, high power rates and the lowest ARPU. It was also said that on the one hand the telecom sector was given the status of industry. On the other hand, commercial rates were still being charged, resulting in higher costs. Therefore, they have decided not to invest in the country unless their ARPU is increased.
The benchmark in operator licenses was also increased and they invested, but there is a continuous need for investment to increase their capacity and meet the growing demand. The Ministry officials and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Universal Service Fund Muhammad Haaris Chaudhry appreciated the committee that it was easy to open LCs. No doubt it would help improve things. According to them, the service is expected to improve in the coming months.
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