China Mobile (the parent company of
ZonG) is not happy with the efforts Warid Telecom it is making to introduce 4G
LTE services at a time when rest of the four telecom operators are preparing to
launch 3G service.
An official privy to the matter has
disclosed that high-ups at China Mobile have asked the government of Pakistan
and the regulatory body PTA to delay the permission process of Warid 4G as it
may harm ZonG’s new image of being the first and only 4G telecom operator.
Similar concerns have been
communicated to PTA by other 3G license winners in various meetings.
An official of the leading telecom
company said, “Warid had opportunity to participate in the bidding process and
play fair. They opted to remain distant, so they must follow the rules now”.
In several communications, PTA has
confirmed that it will entertain new license holders who have paid
millions of dollars. The name of ZonG comes on top on the grounds that it has
obtained 3G and a 4G license which had also relieved government of Pakistan on
the day of auction (April 23).
Government is under immense pressure
from China Mobile who is also happened to be the only telecom investor ready to
pay 3G and 4G license fee lump sum in dollars.
In a press conference today,
ZonG’s CEO responded to a question that PTA should decide on this matter.
Another official from the company hoped that government of Pakistan should do
justice with all the telecom operators.
Warid decided to remain away from
the bidding process and opted to launch its own 4G LTE service, a move
that may surprise all four 3G operators.
According to sources at Warid, the
move is a part of plan to sustain its postpaid customers who have already
started to leave the network in anticipation of 3G services from rival
companies.
The Dawn also quotes PTA
as, “Warid’s license is technology neutral but it is not service neutral. The
telecom operator will need a formal permission from PTA for any new venture”.
A PTA official hinted that Warid
would be given formal permission at least 2 months after ZonG has commercially
launched its 4G services.
ZonG has disclosed today that it
will take them a year to commercially launch 4G in Pakistan for the general
public.
Does it mean that Warid will have to
wait for another one and half year?
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