Pakistan Operators Warned of Network Quality

Pakistan's Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has strictly warned the cellular phone companies to improve their quality of service (QoS) by January 15 to avert any legal action against them. PTA has issued this warning to the managements of major GSM cellphone companies in view of growing complaints of consumers against them.

The Authority has taken strong exception to the problems being faced by cellphone users in the shape of severe congestion, call connection errors, frequent call drops and excessive and unjustified billing due to false messaging.

The PTA says that it remains vigilant about the performance of telecom service providers and after observing poor QoS of two GSM operators, the Authority conducted a technical QoS survey where opinion of the customers was also obtained. Based on the result of this survey, PTA had served warning notices to the concerned companies.

In order to ensure high quality service to the customers, the Authority has planned to conduct yet another comprehensive survey during which opinion of the consumers will also be solicited. PTA had asked the companies to take appropriate measures to improve QoS before the conduct of this survey.

PTA would initiate legal action against the companies which failed to show improvement in their service during the forthcoming technical survey or meeting the desired standard and targets as set out for them in their licenses."

Posted to the site on 6th January 2005