The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Saturday renewed the licence of Paktel, against $ 291 million, for launching GSM services for next 15 years. At a joint press conference with Paktel Chief Executive Xaier Rocoplan, PTA chairman Major General (Retd) Shahzada Alam Malik said that PTA has permitted Paktel to launch GSM services.
He said that with the renewal of the licence a long outstanding controversy between the PTA and Paktel had been resolved amicably.
He recalled that PTA had approved Paktel's migration from AMPS to EGSM on October 25, 2002, and frequency allocation board (FAB) on September 23, 2003.
He said that the government had announced cellular mobile policy in January this year which was followed by bidding in April. He said the PTA issued two new licences for $ 291million each.
He added that the PTA encouraged Paktel to enter the new regime by paying $291 million for renewal of its licence.
Paktel disagreed with PTA for which the company was required to pay 4 percent penalty for renewal of its licence. This polarisation resulted in legal fight between the two parties.
The PTA stance was that since it had granted licences to Telenor and Warid Telecom for $ 291 million each, Paktel was also required to match these two international companies.
The PTA chairman appreciated Paktel management for matching the Telenor and Warid offer for renewal of licence.
The chairman said that PTA has given the company relaxation in term of time period for payment of initial 50 percent of the total amount as upfront fee.
Paktel chief executive officer said that Paktel got a new opportunity to provide cheaper and quality services to its clients in Pakistan.
Paktel is the pioneer of mobile communication in Pakistan and it would maintain its role for quality service to its clients, he added.
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