Pakistan Telecommunication Authority collaborates with the telecom operators to create a business environment in the country to provide efficient mobile services, networking, and internet facilities. In the past, PTA played its role in launching 3G and 4G internet services in Pakistan, focusing on the progress in the IT sector. The government body is now collaborating with the national and international stakeholders for the launch of 5G, hoping for improvement in broadband services across the remote areas of Pakistan. PTA is now policing against unregistered mobile phones, blocking illegal content, and tracing the cyber-attacks.
The telecom generated revenue of Rs644 billion in the fiscal year 2020-21 exceeded last year’s revenue. Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s (PTA) annual report for 2021 highlighted the foreign direct investment (FDI) of $ 202 million in the telecom sector added to the Rs 226 billion in the national exchequer. The Telecom sector added $486 million in revenue through spectrum auctions and license renewals with the network operators. Recently, PTA renewed the license of Telenor continuing its services in Pakistan. PTA also fined Jazz Rs 30 million on the delivery of poor services.
The report indicated an increase in broadband service users amounting to 110 million, indicating the expansion of internet services in half of the country’s population. Most citizens operated internet services through mobile phones. Network operators expanded the spectrum of 4G in the remote areas of Waziristan under the direction of the regulatory authority. Pandemic played its role in the demand for broadband services across the globe due to the increase in the remote working of the employees. Device Identification, Registration, and Blocking System (DIRBS) achieved huge success in producing mobile phones within the country, reducing the import budget. It has proven to be a catalyst for establishing Pakistan as a major manufacturer of mobile devices. PTA has so far issued mobile device manufacturing authorizations to 30 companies, attracting investments to the tune of $120 million, producing 10.1 million smartphones in 2021, and creating 2,000 jobs.
Talking to The Express Tribune, SI Global CEO Noman Ahmed Said believed that the increase in revenue was expected, given the surge in the use of telecom services in the country in recent times. “It is heartening to see that the telecom sector secured $202 million in FDI,” he said. “This should remain our goal for 2022, to secure even more FDI and expand our operations locally as well as internationally.” The Pakistan Telecom sector needs long-term policies to attract foreign investors introducing their companies within Pakistan.
The world’s leading brands like Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, Nokia, Tecno, ZTE, etc., are now being manufactured in the country. Pakistan made history by exporting its first-ever smartphone consignment to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) under the ‘manufactured in Pakistan’ tag. Pakistan can generate more revenue by tapping the potential of the telecom market, incentivizing foreign companies for investment. The launch of 5G technology will bring many technologies like Artificial Intelligence into our practical lives.
Source:
https://dailytimes.com.pk/894265/telecom-revenues-surge-8-8pc-to-rs644b-in-2021/
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2345914/telecom-sector-posts-record-rs644b-revenue-in-fy21
http://en.ce.cn/Insight/202203/02/t20220302_37368944.shtml
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