Just Testing

Just Testing 

Zong Tops MNP Charts for Last Three Months

Zong has received more MNP customers than any other cellular operator in last three reported months with 483,239 mobile phone subscribers porting-in to Zong from June to August 2012, reported Pakistan Telecommunication Authority in its recent most MNP stats.
MNP or Mobile Number Portability is a facility through which mobile phone subscribers are allowed to change their network while retaining their numbers.
Mobilink received 278,874 customers while Telenor was able to grab 215,129 Mobile Number Portability customers in previous three months.
Ufone stood forth in acquiring MNP customers with 170,151 numbers while Warid got 48,999 MNP customers.
Ufone and Mobilink turned out to be largest MNP donator as both companies sent out around 320,000 MNP customers to other networks.
269,954 customers from Zong decided to move on to other networks in three months while Telenor sent 171,571 customers to other networks.
Warid processed 114,956 MNP requests for moving out of its network.
Check below graph for up-mentioned figures:

Mobile phone operators keep offering lucrative deals and packages for new and MNP customers to increase their subscriber base.
It maybe recalled that local channel partners, such as retailers and franchisees, are often found involved in MNP Scams, i.e. they initiate MNP requests without users’ consent.
It merits mentioning here that not all MNP requests are entertained for reasons such as: SIM not Registered, incomplete documentation, outstanding balance and others.
Following graph shows the number of total port-in requests initiated by customers and rejected requests by all operators:

Are Smart Grids the Only Solution to the Electricity Crisis? And How WiMAX Can Help?

The past twenty years have been an extraordinary time for the development of information and communication technologies (ICTs) – with the ‘mobile miracle’ we have brought the benefits of ICTs within reach of virtually all the world’s people. It is now time to make the next step, and to ensure that everyone – wherever they live, and whatever their circumstances – have access to the benefits of broadband.
This is not just about delivering connectivity for connectivity’s sake, or even about giving people access to the undoubted benefits of social communications. It is about leveraging the power of broadband technologies, and especially mobile technologies, to make the world a better place.
Broadband has become a key priority of the 21st Century, and I believe its transformative power as an enabler for economic and social growth makes it an essential tool for empowering people, creating an environment that nurtures the technological and service innovation, and triggering positive change in business processes as well as in society as a whole.
Increased adoption and use of broadband in the next decade and beyond will be driven by the extent to which broadband-supported services and applications are not only made available to, but are also relevant and affordable for consumers.
A broader view needs to be taken for broadband proliferation and the Government’s long-term digital strategy needs to be aligned with its economic objectives. The ITU and UNESCO Broadband Commission for Digital Development are striving to meet the eight Millennium Development Goals signed by all nations, including Pakistan, in 2000. The Broadband Challenge and Broadband Targets 2015 adopted by the Broadband Commission for Digital Development in October 2011 consist of a set of four targets for making broadband policy universal and for boosting affordability and broadband uptake:

• Target 1: Making broadband policy universal. By 2015, all countries should have a national broadband plan or strategy or include broadband in their Universal Access/Service Definitions;
• Target 2: Making broadband affordable. By 2015, entry-level broadband services should be made affordable in developing countries through adequate regulation and market forces (for example, amount to less than 5% of average monthly income);
• Target 3: Connecting homes to broadband. By 2015, 40% of households in developing countries should have Internet access;
• Target 4: Getting people online. By 2015, Internet user penetration should reach 60% worldwide, 50% in developing countries and 15% in Least Developed Countries (LDCs).

Although the current growth is encouraging, is it enough for us to leap forward and compete with the rest of the world? Technology and progress are recurrently linked together and in today’s day and age. Governments and businesses want to measure the real growth, with transparency of results and visibility to manage their operations.
Energy Crisis and How Communication Networks Can Play a Role:
The electricity crisis in the country has been a thorn in the backside of not just the existing government, but the previous one as well. The current and the former PM’s have also stated that eliminating the electricity short-fall is the top priority for them. Having said that, the easiest and most direct way of eliminating the shortfall has been sought through developing new sources of power generation, majority of which through IPP’s (Independent Power Producers).
Over the last 10 years, we have witnessed the mushrooming of new power projects that have renewed hope in the system and have given relief for a short period of time. However, the power crisis continues to be a sore point for the Government. However, it is time we review the options for improving the efficiency of our electricity supply and management. Are IPP’s the only viable way to address the issue?
In my opinion, they are partly the solution. Thanks to advancement in technology, smart solutions are available and being implemented internationally for improving electricity supply and management.
The smart grid is bringing the electric utility industry into the 21st century. In combination with smart meters, the smart grid enables consumers to monitor their energy usage. For utilities, it eliminates house-to-house meter reading, makes possible the remote connection and disconnection of electric power, and sends automatic alerts when outages occur.
Through smart meters, the scourge of electricity theft can be eliminated with ease, as detection of theft is made simpler.The smart grid enables retail electric providers to offer time-of-use rates that differentiate peak and off-peak consumption to encourage electricity consumers to shift their consumption patterns accordingly.
Developing a communications network is critical to meet this goal. The mass of information accumulated by smart meters is of no value unless it can be transmitted reliably to the utility data center and processed. Hence, there is a critical need for an effective communications network. Besides the above, the following standards should be adhered to:

• A comprehensive coverage design needs to be planned and two-way communication between the endpoints (to cell relays [meter data collectors] and intelligent grid switching devices) are ensured.
• Sufficient data throughput capacity to transmit 96 interval readings a day from each meter, and to execute all service orders generated.
• Be reliable in all conditions, particularly storm conditions as Pakistan is susceptible to extreme weather conditions, especially during monsoons.
• Be secure, adhering to strict cyber-security standards.
• Be scalable to keep pace with ever-increasing amounts of data as more smart meters and intelligent grid switching devices are installed in the years ahead.
• Have adequate fail-over and redundancy to ensure backup in the event of a component failure.

Some people may call me a dreamer and argue that this progress may only add to the cost of delivering electricity. I however, believe otherwise. The challenge for Pakistan is not only to overcome electricity shortfall, but to better manage its delivery system. The above method has been adopted in developing countries like the US and need to be implemented in Pakistan to get real-time access and accurate control over power delivery.
These steps will go a long way in ensuring the results are transparent and will help the Government in supporting policies for particular industries in order to meet its macro economic targets.

Ufone Cricket Video Grabs 2.5 Million Views in a Week

Ufone recently launched a song titled “Tum Hi tau ho Saaen”, featuring Wasim Akram in his maiden effort has been watched by over 2.5 million viewsr on all major web portals in less than a week, claims Ufone.
The initiative by Ufone is unique in its own right as it showcases Wasim Akram as a singer in his first ever music video instead of a national cricketing hero, showing him supporting the national team.
Waseem Akram enthralls the audience with his singing prowess and news is that music pundits have already started predicting his chances of success in this field similar to his earlier ventures of becoming a cricket commentator, an anchorperson and successful brand ambassador endorsing various products.
The video has already attracted thousands of fans on Facebook and the numbers are growing by the hour.
Apart from establishing its reputation of making jovial ads from time to time, Ufone has also produced soul-searching, introspective and thematic ads on special days like 14^th August, 23^rd March and 6^th September. Coming out with a beautiful song on the eve of Cricket T20 World Cup is a feat no other telecom operator has achieved yet.
Legendary figures singing songs is not a new trend anywhere in the world and showbiz as well as sports personalities often sing songs for their country but the phenomenon is unique in Pakistan in the sense that no such example existed earlier. It is amusing to watch multifaceted Wasim Akram rapping effortlessly to the tunes of music. He is paired with Ali Gul Pir, who got instant fame with his recent music video “Saeen ka Biata”.
It may be recalled here Pakistan emerged victorious in the 2009 T20 world cup in England and this time around sentiments are in full swing as Pakistan cruised safely to Super 8 stage routing New Zealand and Bangladesh on the way.

Warid Introduces T20 World Cup Mobile Game

Warid Telecom introduces T20 World Cup Mobile game which will enable Warid users to become part of a world class enthralling T20 series by playing cricket on their smartphones.
Experience the passion, walk down the pitch to a billion cheers and play the larger than life T20 World cup 2012.
Users can play and guide their team for victory while batting or bowling through 20 grueling rounds of intense cricketing action. Users can select any team as their favorite and fight for the title.
T20 World Cup mobile application for cricket fans is available for download for one month from 25th September 2012 to 26th of October 2012. Warid T20 World Cup mobile application is available for selected Android and Java based mobile handsets.
Game Highlights:

• Choose from 12 official teams
• Play in Auto and manual batting modes
• Watch Cheerleaders dance to your shots and wickets
• Simple touch controls to bat and bowl
• Tutorial section included teaching step by step batting and bowling controls of the game
• Game is available to be played in three modes: T20 World Cup 2012 Mode, Challenge Mode and Quick Match Mode.
• All the official World Twenty20 2012 Sri Lanka 12 teams available and all matches are scheduled according to the schedule for World Cup 2012 Sri Lanka.

Details:

• This application is available to all Warid subscribers
• This offer is valid for one month (25th September 2012 – 26th of October 2012)
• This offer is valid for selected Android and Java based mobile handsets
  Click Here for list of compatible devices

How to Subscribe and Download:
Warid subscribers can buy this application by sending “T20″ to 2020 for Rs. 99+t.
Service Mechanics:

• Send T20 to 2020 to purchase the application. (Please ensure that your handset is visible in the list of compatible devices above)
• An SMS shall be received with a link to your purchased application.
• Clicking on the link will initiate the download of the application and you are done

Note: All requests send to 2020 will be charged, please ensure that your device is visible in the compatibility list before initiating a request.
Charges:

• Rs. 99 plus tax

Note:
All requests sent to 2020 are charged, please ensure that your device is visible in the compatibility list before initiating a request.
Terms & Conditions:

• Please ensure that your handset is visible in the compatibility list.
  Click Here for list of compatible devices
• Only one request per day would be applicable i.e. a customer may purchase this application only once in a day
• The application link is valid for 1 download only
• GPRS charges apply for downloads directly from network

PTCL Organizes Heart Disease Prevention and Awareness Seminar

In connection with World Heart Day 2012, observed every year on 29^thSeptember, Pakistan Telecommunications Company Limited (PTCL) held an awareness seminar on ‘Prevention of Heart Disease among Women & Children’.
Dr. Inam ul Haq, Consultant Cardiologist, Federal Government Services Hospital, Islamabad was specially invited by PTCL to speak at the occasion. The seminar was held at S A Siddiqui auditorium in the PTCL Head Quarters premises.
Senior Executive Vice President (SEVP) HR, Syed Mazhar Hussain while speaking on the occasion said that PTCL believes in providing a healthy and safe working environment for its employees, the main objective of this seminar is to  create awareness regarding heart diseases amongst our staff, with special focus on Women and Children.”
“PTCL is the only telecommunications services provider in the country which has dedicated medical centers all across the country for providing the health related facilities to its employees.” He further added.
Speaking at the occasion, Dr. Inam ul Haq said that heart diseases are rapidly growing in Pakistan. Previously it was considered that mostly people in advance ages are at risk with heart diseases, however , latest medical research shows that  young people, specially children and women are also at the same risk.  He further appreciated PTCL for providing health care information and awareness about heart diseases and preventive measures to its staff.
To commemorate the Heart Day, PTCL medical centers also arranged a blood pressure awareness drive at PTCL HQ’s and medical centers. PTCL medical staff gave employees demonstration about blood pressure checking and prevention techniques.

Government Suddenly Realizes that IT Ministry is Running on Acting Heads Only

After years, in fact after four and half years since the current government took charge, the authorities have finally and suddenly realized that Ministry of Information Technology is running on shoulders of acting heads, i.e. without any regular and permanent appointments.
This was observed yesterday in a parliamentary committee meeting when it was realized that IT Ministry isn’t performing at all as majority of heads in IT ministry are acting or interim in nature, with no IT Minister for a long time.
Almost same is the situation for various heads of departments at Ministry of IT and other IT Ministry departments, as they are controlled by acting heads only.
Chairman of the parliamentary committee, Mr. Barjees Tahir noted that everyone in these departments is on acting basis so how it is possible that department would run smoothly without any problem.
Barjees Tahir said that it is very unfortunate that IT sector is contributing at large in the national economy but government is ignoring this key sector.
It merits mentioning here that Ministry of Information Technology is functioning even without a Minister since the government took charge. There were few appointments made for the headship of Ministry but they didn’t last long.
Prime Minister remains the head of Ministry during the absence of a regular minister who is usually so busy in other (government, political and legal) affairs that IT Ministry is never given the due importance and time – unless there is a issue which can bring them money, such as 3G.
It merits mentioning here that current government has miserably failed in achieving anything in Information Technology domain or let me say they have done nothing for IT industry.
Just for the records, there is no cyber law in Pakistan, Mobile Cellular Policy, broadband policy and various other Telecom policies have expired for long. There is no policy for money laundering here which is why PayPal isn’t coming to Pakistan. There is no e-payment gateway in the country and countless other things which could enable IT industry to achieve lot better than what it has done now.

Pakistan is a land of Opportunities: VP Nokia

Senior Vice President, All India Management Association & VP Nokia IMEA (India, Middle East & Africa), expressed during his recent visit to Pakistan:
“Pakistan is a land of opportunities and the credit for this goes to the huge youth population and the rich pool of talent available in the country”, these sentiments were expressed by D. Shiva Kumar, Senior Vice President, All India Management Association & VP Nokia IMEA, during his recent visit to Pakistan.
He was one of the key speakers from India at the two day management conference between the two countries in Lahore.
During his presentation, he expressed the need to understand the potential in the emerging markets especially Pakistan where there is unique talent pool, high potential, right time to benefit from opportunities.
In his views, this is a once in a life time opportunity and the time is ripe for both Pakistan and India to come together and work in the fields of Technology, Business Management, Brand Building and Education to make South Asia  even more visible to the rest of the world.
When asked about the business of Nokia in Pakistan, he said, “Nokia is one of the most loved Brands in Pakistan and we always feel great to see the business progress in Pakistan. For us at Nokia, Pakistan is a high potential market with opportunities for growth in the mobile sector. With the huge youth population, we see a fast adoption to mobile services and penetration.”

Ufone Offers Per Second Charging For Hajj Roaming

Ufone has announced per second charging for all calls made to Pakistan or with-in Saudi Arabia and for all incoming calls for the Hajj Pilgrims when they are in Saudi Arabia.
The offer which is pre-activated on all prepaid number will allow Ufone customers to make as many calls as they want to your family back home in Pakistan or in Saudi Arabia for just Rs. 1/sec and receive calls from anywhere in the world for Rs.0.15/sec only.
Ufone customers will have to select Mobily (Etisalat) in Saudi Arabia as they native network to avail this offer.
Terms & Conditions:

• This promo is for prepaid customers only; Offer is not valid for Post-paid Subscribers;
• This promo is effective from 27th September to 10th December 2012.
• While roaming in Saudi Arabia now calls to Pakistan & Saudi Arabia only in PKR 1/sec and receive calls only in PKR 0.15/Sec from anywhere in the world.
• No subscription will be required to avail this promo; this offer will be provisioned by default on all Ufone Prepaid numbers for international roaming.
• Per second charging can only be applicable when subscriber is latched to Mobily Saudi Arabia.
• Per second charging is only applicable for outgoing calls to Saudia Arabia& Pakistan and for incoming calls from anywhere in the world.
• There are no hidden daily/monthly charges on this offer.
• Standard published rates and charging shall apply on roaming to other networks in these selected destinations.

Ufone Offers 600 SMS for 45 Paisas

Ufone has announced reduction in daily SMS bundle of 600 SMS for its Uth customers which was earlier offered at Rs. 1.99 plus tax is now being offered for 45 Paisas only.
With this daily bundle offer, Uth customers will be able to send 600 SMS to any network with a validity of one day.
This is a limited time offer which will remain valid till November 05, 2012 only.
Package Details:

• Number of SMS: 600 to any network
• Price: Rs. 0.45 + Tax
• Validity: 24 Hours
• Auto re-subscription: Yes

How to Subscribe:

• Send Sub to 612

How to Un-subscribe:

• Send Unsub to 8612

Terms & Conditions:

• Daily SMS Package for Uth customers will be valid for 24 hours from the time of subscription.
• This package will auto re-subscribe Daily SMS Package after 24 hours.
• This SMS package might not be available during Eid holiday.
• This is a limited time offer till November 5th, 2012 only.