'3G services to be available by the end of 2011'

The Secretary Cabinet Division, Abdur Rauf Chaudhry has said that 3G services would hopefully be available to the Pakistan mobile users by the end of 2011, while it is expected that the policy for auction of 3G services licenses would soon be presented to the government and Economic Co-ordination Committee (ECC) for discussion and approval.
He was speaking at a seminar organised by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) in collaboration with Qualcomm and Central Asian Cellular Forum (CACF) at Islamabad on 3G mobile services. The theme was "Opportunities for All: Development of 3G Devices in Pakistan" says in a press release issued here on Tuesday.
Chairman PTA, Dr Mohammed Yaseen, moderated the ceremony. Delegates from Board of Investment, Pakistan Engineering Council, Ministry of IT, Representatives from Qualcomm, IT & telecom Industry experts, CEOs of telecom companies, International Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), Local Investors, Mobile Distributors, Academia and media representatives attended the seminar. The Secretary said that the local manufacturing of 3G handsets is very important and govt would consider the recommendations given by the industry during the seminar.
On this occasion, Chairman PTA, Dr Mohammed Yaseen said that by the end of this quarter they would be able to roll out plans for 3G services once the policy is approved by the government. He said that handset manufacturing is a vital segment of mobile Eco System, by the end of 2011, there will be an estimated sales volume of 300 million 3G mobile handset around the globe. Pakistan offers an excellent opportunity for investment in 3G handset manufacturing with availability of skilled manpower and upward growth of mobile market. He said that creation of a favourable climate for high value added, low cost R&D, production and marketing will certainly instigate investment window in the country.
During the seminar the Chairman PTA also delivered a comprehensive presentation to highlight the world-wide practices regarding 3G manufacturing. He presented various investment incentives offered in various countries. The chairman also highlighted the present 3G handset market in Pakistan with necessary future roadmap to promote handset manufacturing industry in the country. Raheel Kamal, Sanjeet Pandit and Hani Yassin of Qualcomm also made presentations highlighting magnitude and importance of 3G Manufacturing in Pakistan.-PR