Mikael Grahne, Chief Operating Officer Millicom International Corporation, during his recent visit to Pakistan, switched on Paktel GSM's Mobile Switching Centre (MSC) in Islamabad on Thursday.
With this the initial testing of the company for GSM equipment has started.
Speaking to the press after the ceremony, Grahne said Paktel is launching GSM service with a investment of more than $ 150 million. Our first test call on the GSM network will be made in March 2004 with commercial roll-out to follow soon after.
We are sure that our plans are the most aggressive ever in the industry with at least 2 million subscriber capacity covering at least 150 cities and town across Pakistan.
PTA has already approved a new dialling code 0304 for our GSM service, and today we start testing our Islamabad Switch.
Grahne said that current market penetration stands at 3 million subscribers where the market has grown by 83 percent during 2003. With the launch of Paktel's GSM service and expansion by other existing players in the market, an additional 4-5 million subscriber capacity will be available for sale in 2004.
As per industry estimates total addressable market size today stands at 12-13 million and we expect the industry to close the year at 8 million.
Speaking about Millicom's business philosophy Grahne said Millicom believes in developing communications network in developing countries. We therefore are the market leaders in most developing countries that we operate.