Pakistan Planning 3G License Tender Imminently

­Pakistan's telecoms regulator, the PTA says that it plans to offer 3G licenses in the near future, without specifying a specific deadline. In a statement to the local business newspaper, the PTA said that it is expected that once the service would be available with all mobile operators it would increase the data usage and more value added services.

No comment about pricing or license conditions was offered though.

The award of the country's 3G licenses have been delayed several times, despite statements by the regulator that it has spectrum earmarked, and all the ground work is completed.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Telenor had started upgrading its Pakistani network in preparation for 3G licenses to be offered.

Recent figures from the Mobile World subscriber database notes that the country has four fairly large mobile network operators, Moblink (28m), Telenor (20m), Ufone (20m) and Warid Telecom (17 m) - along with China Mobile's Pakistan subsidiary, Zong at just under 6 million customers.

There have been repeated rumours that China Mobile is seeking to merge its Zong subsidiary with either Telenor or Warid Telecom. If such a merger occurred, then it may leave open the market for a new entrant to take the fifth 3G license.

On the web: Mobile World - Business Recorder

Posted to the site on 30th August 2009