Wi-tribe upgrades consumer plans (Pakistan)
Pakistan’s WiMax provider Wi-tribe has upgraded its consumer plans. The company claims that following customer feedback and analyzing customer behavior, Wi-tribe has upgraded its packages, with as much as 50% higher value in some packages.
The company plans for desktop modems now start at US$7.69 for 8 GB at a speed of 256 Kbps. The 512 Kbps plans come in three versions: 8 GB, 15 GB, and unlimited priced at US$8.87, US$11.83, and US$14.19 per month, respectively.
1 Mbps plans come in two versions, namely an 8 GB and a 15 GB version for US$11.24 and US$14.19 per month, and the unlimited, 1.5 Mbps plan costs US$28.39 per month. Customers using a dongle pay US$17.74 per month for 15 GB at 512 Kbps.
Mobilink FY EBITDA grows by 17.8% (Pakistan)
Mobilink has posted revenues of US$995.83 million for 2010, an increase of 8.7% from a year earlier, while EBITDA rose 17.8% to US$440.62 million.
Despite the challenging market conditions in the country, the mobile operator gained 350,000 new subscribers in Q4, to finished 2010 with a total base of 31.79 million.
ARPU improved to US$2.89 from US$2.72 in Q3, while MoU rose over the full year to 206 from 198. Capex for 2010 fell 9% to US$143 million.
Huawei wins BSS contract in Pakistan
Huawei has reportedly won a contract from Pakistan based mobile network operator, Ufone for the supply of a next-generation BSS platform.
According to Ali Ikram, Ufone’s General Marketing Manager, currently Pakistan has the world’s 10th largest telecom market. But the competition is very tough, since there are many operator players in the market. The new system helps Ufone integrate with third parties more easily and widely, which expands their business and aligns with their strategy.
Ufone is controlled by UAE based Etisalat and the Pakistan government.
Mobilicity to introduce 3.5G network in Calgary (Canada)
Mobilicity will launch its 3.5G mobile network in Calgary on 28 April. Calgary consumers will be able to purchase popular name-brand Mobilicity phones (such as BlackBerry and Android smartphones) and plans at over 70 points of distribution, including corporate stores, exclusive Mobilicity dealers, national retailers and other non-exclusive dealers in every neighborhood across the Greater Calgary Area as well as online.
Mobilicity applies the simple unlimited local usage principles of landline calling to mobile communications. Mobilicity will also introduce Calgary to international long-distance offerings that make calling overseas friends and family affordable on the go.
Its Unlimited Asia add-on provides direct-dial, unlimited long distance to India, China, Hong Kong and Singapore for US$21.10 a month with any Mobilicity talk plan. To make calling to countries, like the Philippines, Jamaica, Iraq, Pakistan and the United Kingdom more affordable, the company also offers Multi-Minute bundles and pay-per-use international long-distance rates that rival calling cards.
Ufone selects Huawei’s BSS (Pakistan)
Huawei will be providing its Next Generation Business Support System to Pakistani mobile operator Ufone.
The two companies started their cooperation in Pakistan six years ago. The new system will help Ufone integrate with third parties more easily and widely, the company said.
Apps published by Telenor Pakistan to be hosted on Nokia’s Ovi Store
Telenor Pakistan has partnered with Nokia, whereby applications published by Telenor Pakistan will be hosted on Nokia’s Ovi Store.
The applications include games and comedy content. WeRPlay & Anahata Solutions are the applications development partners. Telenor Pakistan has also extended its support to March for Education campaign through its djuice platform.
The March for Education campaign is run by the Pakistan Education Task Force (PETF). The campaign’s petition to end Pakistan’s education emergency has exceeded its target of 100,000 supporters.
The petition has received a boost from young Pakistanis who have been signing the petition by text message, through the support of Telenor Pakistan. Through Telenor Pakistan’s Karo Mumkin and Khamoshi Ka Boycott campaigns, the company aims to empower people to support causes that aid the nation. Telenor Pakistan is hoping that more people will come forward to support and promote the cause of education for all.
Mobilink inks tower-sharing deal with Ufone (Pakistan)
Mobilink has signed a tower-sharing agreement with Ufone, an affiliate of Etisalat.
According to the company, the agreement was in line with the policy of the Pakistan Telecom Authority and the government to encourage greater network efficiencies while reducing the environmental impact of network launch. Ufone stated that the deal will allow it to offer nationwide coverage.
Qubee introduces prepaid WiMAX services (Pakistan)
Qubee, Pakistan’s WiMax provider has launched new prepaid services. A prepaid starter package costs US$5.89 and comes with 5 GB valid for 30 days.
To access this service, customers need a Qubee Shuttle to connect to the service which offers internet access at 512 Kbps. Scratch-card top-ups start at US$1.17 for 1 GB and a validity of three days, followed by US$2.95 for 3 GB valid for seven days, and a scratch card priced at US$5.89 for 5 GB valid for fifteen days. Qubee also offers 10 GB for US$11.79 which is valid for 30 days.
Warid offers SIM with call rate of $0.07 per hour (Pakistan)
Warid Telecom is offering a SIM with an offer of US$0.07 per hour and up to 1000 free minutes. The SIM has a price of US$0.71 and comes with a pre-loaded amount of US$0.29.
This offer allows the users in the Multan, Faisalabad and Gujranwala region to call any Warid number at a call rate of US$0.07 per hour while they are in and around the vicinity of these regions.
In addition, the SIM comes with 1000 free minutes that is 100 free on-net minutes on the first recharge of every month during the first ten months after Sim activation. All new subscribers will also be entered into the ‘Warid Bol Anmol’ Reward Program.
PTCL signs VNO deal with ADG LDI for WLL services (Pakistan)
PTCL has signed an agreement with telecommunication services provider ADG LDI to promote its wireless local loop services across Pakistan.
PTCL is offering voice and data wholesale WLL services to prospective virtual network operators.
These VNOs use the PTCL network infrastructure for service provisioning and use their own retail brand and sales and distribution channels to market the services to their target customers.
