The most awaited thing in Pakistan Telecom industry for the launch of 3G/4G spectrum is here now with a good news that the auction of 3G/4G license that was held on 23rd April, 2014 in Islamabad under the supervision of PTA has been completed.
According to details, auction was held in Marriott Hotel, Islamabad. All the 4 operators who qualified for the auction have took part in the bidding process. The bidding process was included total of 8 rounds. At the end of all 8 rounds the bidding figures were as these are shown in below picture.
Zong have won the 4G license along with 3G license of 10MHz lot. Moblink won 3G license of 10MHz lot. Ufone and Telenor also remain successful by getting the 3G license of 5MHz lot each.
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Zong won 10Mhz for 3G and 10Mhz for 4G
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Mobilink won 10Mhz for 3G
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Telenor won 5Mhz for 3G
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Ufone won 5Mhz for 3G
Government of Pakistan has generated the total revenue of $1.182 billion in which $902.82 million is from 3G license auction and $210 million is from 4G license auction.
At the end of auction, Federal Finance Minister, Mr. Ishaq Dar and State Minister of IT and Telecom, Ms. Anusha Rehman were also there. At his speech, Mr. Dar told that $291 million for license in 850 MHz which was left out for foreign player is still available and $210 million worth actionable 4G license, He said that government can still generate huge sums by presenting these licenses.
Minister of State for Information & technology Anusha Rehman explained that that foreign companies wanted Government to give 3G and 4G license to current telecom companies at least after 1 year. Meanwhile they wanted to strengthen their own user base by introducing 2G technologies. She told that this became the reason for all those companies to not participate in this auction process.
Ufone and Telenor have published the news about 3G/4G license that they have won. Here are the details:
3G is here for U!
We are immensely pleased to announce Ufone has won the auction for 3G.
We know that the successes of today are never sufficient for tomorrow; that’s exactly why technology and innovation go hand-in-hand at Ufone. By acquiring a 3G and empowering our systems with mobile Internet that rivals the speed of light, Ufone is truly the network of tomorrow.
This is just the first step in a telecommunication revolution that will soon engulf Pakistan and we will very shortly be launching 3G services to enable an even better telecommunication experience. Using the power of 3G, Ufone is going to add unprecedented levels of innovation to thrill and excite you with super-fast mobile Internet that will usher U into the future.
A 3G-enabled future where lightning-fast mobile Internet speeds are more than just wishful thinking. Where all you really need is a phone to take care of email, entertainment, social networking and so much more. Where Ufone is the new standard for Internet and all that it stands for!
Welcome to a digitally integrated future where U can finally utilize the power of smart phones to their full extent.
Telenor Pakistan secures 3G license
Telenor Pakistan is proud to have won the next generation spectrum license in the recently held auction. This will enable the second largest mobile operator in Pakistan to offer broadband internet to customers on their mobile phones with innovative data packages through 3G platform. Telenor Pakistan’s top management and the Regulatory Affairs department has expressed satisfaction over the bidding process and congratulated Pakistan Telecommunications Authority, Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication and the Ministry of Finance for successfully running the show and ensuring transparency in this major development.
“We are very pleased to have won the license to launch 3G services in Pakistan and be a frontrunner of the fraternity that is taking Pakistan to a whole new level of technological advancement. Telenor Pakistan believes that access to communication technology can contribute immensely towards empowering societies,” Lars Christian Iuel, Chief Executive Officer, Telenor Pakistan said in a message. “We’re grateful to Government of Pakistan for addressing all concerns of telecom operators before the auction process and ensure Telenor Pakistan’s full support in their vision to bring ICT headway to Pakistan,” he added.
Message from Chief Commercial Officer – CMPak
China Mobile is world largest telecom operator having 750million customers, having the largest 2G, 3G and 4G network in the world. Zong is the only 4G license winner as well as the biggest 3G license winner in the auction, have acquired the most valuable frequency resources. Based on which we will deploy the world’s leading mobile technology in Pakistan to provide the fastest mobile internet and best 3G/4G network in Pakistan. We are the fastest growing mobile network in the past three years and more than half of new mobile customers select Zong. The auction result fully shows the long term commitment of Zong to Pakistan and the willingness to contribute in the growth of the country.
Mobilink, a wholly owned subsidiary of Global Telecom Holding S.A.E (“Global Telecom”) and part of the VimpelCom group, was announced as one of the winners of the 3G spectrum auction conducted by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (“PTA”) at a formal ceremony held on April 23, 2014. Under the terms of the auction, Mobilink won 2×10 MHz spectrum at 2100 MHz band with a total price of USD 300.9 million. High speed internet services on Mobilink’s 3G-ready sites will be rolled out according to the timelines defined in the license agreement by PTA. The license is valid for a period of 15 years.
Rashid Khan, President and CEO Mobilink commenting on the success said, “The acquisition of the license is a testament to the commitment that Mobilink and its parent company VimpelCom has made to Pakistan to bring the best voice and data services and seamless connectivity through cutting edge technology. As we roll-out NGMS services on our network, we will ensure that our customers continue to enjoy the best EDGE services on more than 9000 cell sites across Pakistan.”
Commenting on the role of government and the regulator he added, “This auction will go a long way in bringing Pakistan at par with technology and data services in the global market. I would like to congratulate the PTA, Ministry of IT and Ministry of Finance for facilitating a transparent and successful bidding process.”
Bilal Munir Sheikh, Chief Commercial Officer said “The awarding of the 3G spectrum license paves the way to launch 3G services in Pakistan during 2014 and solidifies both our commitments to the Pakistani market as well as our commitment to maintain Mobilink’s market leadership position. This milestone will enable Mobilink’s customers to experience unique and innovative services that rely on high speed data connectivity”.
The launch of high speed internet services will bridge the digital divide and empower millions of customers with high speed internet experience on the go. Approximately 15 million customers are equipped with 3G enabled handsets and the number is likely to increase after the launch of next generation mobile services. Mobilink remains at the forefront of providing the NGMS technology to its customers as it was in introducing the GSM technology in Pakistan two decades earlier.
Mobilink has invested more than USD 4.3 billion in Pakistan telecom market to date and is the country’s largest cellular network with more than 9000 cell sites spread over 20,000 cities towns and villages serving more than 38 million subscribers.
