Telecoms news from Pakistan

Telenor Pakistan Adds Savings Bank to Mobile Money Service

Telenor Pakistan has expanded its mobile money service into a saving bank. ...more.

Silly phone game puts illiterate Pakistanis in touch with potential employers

A silly telephone game that became a viral phenomenon in Pakistan has demonstrated some serious potential for teaching poorly educated people about automated voice services and provided a new tool for them to learn about jobs, ...more.

Moody's: Pakistan's Mobilink Financial results in line with expectations

Mobilink demonstrated a solid financial performance in 2012. Its revenue increased by 8.9% year-on-year, supported by a 5.6% annual increase in subscribers. ...more.

Pakistan Hikes Taxes on GSM Based Mobile Phones

Mobile phones sold in Pakistan now face an additional Rs500-1000 per handset sales tax following changes by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). ...more.

Pakistani Networks Ordered to Stop Prize Based Promotions

Pakistan's Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has ordered the mobile networks to immediately stop all types of "Prize/Inaami" schemes. ...more.

Pakistani Networks Ordered to Resolve SIM Card Registration Issues

Pakistan's Prime Minister has ordered the telecoms regulator and the ICT Ministry to review procedures for verifying SIM card ownership following complaints about delays ...more.

Peshawar mobile-phone market blast kills 1, injures 11

A bomb outside a mobile-phone market in the Hashtnagri area of Peshawar killed at least one person and injured 11 others February 21, media reported. ...more.

SingTel Sells 30% Stake in Pakistan's Warid Telecom

Singapore Telecommunications (SingTel) has sold its 30% stake in Pakistan's Warid Telecom for US$150 million. ...more.

Chairman of Pakistan's Telecoms Regulator Ordered to Resign

A Pakistan court has ordered the removal of the Chairman of the telecoms regulator after annulling his appointment to the post. ...more.

Pakistan suspends cell phone service in 53 cities, districts

Pakistan January 3 suspended cell phone service in 53 cities and districts to prevent terrorist attacks on the eve of Chehlum, which honours the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain, ...more.

Etisalat Rejects Offer to Settle Dispute with Pakistani Government

UAE based Etisalat is reported to have turned down an offer from the Pakistan government to resolve a dispute over property transfers dating back to its 2006 investment in Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL). ...more.

Fair Trial Act gives Pakistan authorities wiretapping powers

The proposed law would enable law enforcement and security agencies to go to court to obtain a warrant that would allow them to listen to, record or intercept electronic communications in anti-terrorist operations. ...more.

Pakistan's Mobile Banking Accounts Passed 1.8 Million Mark at end of Q3

The number of mobile banking accounts in Pakistan stood at 1.8 million at the end of September, according to a report from the State Bank. ...more.

LCC Wins Contract to Upgrade Pakistan Based Mobile Network

LCC International announced today that it has been awarded a nationwide network modernization project by a unnamed vendor to deliver RF optimization services for an unnamed mobile network in Pakistan. ...more.

Mobilink Awards Upgrade Contracts to Alcatel-Lucent and Huawei

Pakistan's Mobilink has reportedly inked network upgrade contracts with Alcatel-Lucent and Huawei as part of a US$1 billion upgrade plan. ...more.

Huawei and China Mobile Open GSM Lab in Pakistan

China's Huawei and Pakistan based mobile network, Zong have established a GSM laboratory and training center at National University of Science and Technology (NUST). ...more.

Pakistan To Suspend Phone Network Over Security Fears

Pakistan's interior minister has said the government will suspend mobile-phone services in parts of the country over the next two days to prevent attacks against Shi'ite Muslims during the holy month of Muharram. ...more.

Pakistan to Ban Cheap Phone Tariffs that Encourage "Vulgarity"

Pakistan's telecoms regulator has ordered the phone networks to stop offering cheaper phone calls in off-peak hours, specially at night - because it claims they encourage lewd conversations. ...more.

Pakistan bans new cell phone connections in KP

The Pakistan Telecommunications Authority November 19 prohibited the sale of new cell phone connections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, ...more.

Sindh court reverses cell phone suspension

The Pakistani federal government briefly suspended cell phone service in Karachi and Quetta but restored it after the Sindh High Court ordered that service be available, ...more.