KARACHI – The 3G technology has received a detested response from all five cellular companies operating in Pakistan as they have refused to opt for this technology, saying it has affordability issues. Sources informed Pakistan Today that cellular companies refused to go for 3G technology in a meeting with the Minister of Information Technology Sardar Asif Ahmed.
Cellular companies claimed that 3G is not conducive to the Pakistani environment as it is extremely expensive. Sources further informed that cellular operators complained of pressures from the Ministry and the regulator for launching 3G technology in the country. The Minister, however, did not clearly assure support to the operators and stated that he will look into the matter and will decide accordingly, sources added. Telecom analysts have admitted the fact that the country does not have potential for 3G technology due to its low attraction for the elite business community.
Sources in the industry claim that 3G would never gain acceptability, as operators would have to change their current equipment which would cost them heavily. Political interference is another issue which would hamper 3G implementation. Influential cellular operators would use political pressure for their interests in this new technology base. An example of this political interference is appointment of Irfan Wahab in Telenor in 2005, while he was working at the Ministry of IT as the director wireless, sources added.
The Ministry of IT has yet to disclose any policy regarding 3G technology and efforts of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) are in vain till the ministry issues any policy in this regard, sources said. They further said that PTA is the licensing authority and its job is to provide guidelines to the Ministry in this regard, yet it has the spectrum available for 3G technology in the country.
