Pakistani companies providing cheapest call rates world-over: Dr Yaseen

[Omar1984]

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Pakistani companies providing cheapest call rates world-over: Dr Yaseen

By Mian Abrar

ISLAMABAD, Jul 26 (APP): Chairman Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Dr. Mohammed Yaseen Sunday claimed that Pakistani cellular phone companies were providing cheapest call rates across the globe.“In a recent conference in India, the Indians claimed that they were providing cheapest calls world over. However, I confronted and made calculations to prove that Pakistan was the country providing the most inexpensive phone facility to its consumers,” said Chairman PTA Dr. Mohammed Yaseen in an exclusive interview with APP.

When his comments were sought over the spill over of Pakistani cellular phone signals to the neighbouring countries, Chairman said PTA had conducted comprehensive surveys to ensure that there were no spillovers from either side.

“The cell phone towers are installed in the bordering areas under a prescribes Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). We are ensuring that the SOP is strictly followed. Moreover, we have held negotiations with the neighbouring countries including Afghanistan and India to address the issue,” he added.

Answering a question about the government’s ordinance on objectionable SMS, the chairman PTA said the government had issued the ordinance to establish a mechanism to check on those elements involved in the obnoxious SMS.

When asked about those involved in fraudulent activities and fleecing the poor consumers through SMS for cash draws, the PTA chairman said the Federal Investigation Authority (FIA) would move against such elements under Spam Regulations.

He said the PTA had installed a Redressal of Consumer Grievances Mechanism which would ensure proper resolution to the problems being faced by the telecom sector consumers.

Dr. Yaseen informed that the consumers would have a complaint with the respective telecom operator and if the issue is not resolved, the consumer should file the complaint with the PTA Consumer Protection Directorate (CPD).

“The consumers can make a free-of-cost call to PTA at 080055055 if their complaint is not resolved within given timeframe by the concerned telecom operator,” he said and added the PTA would take up the matter with the concerned authorities and would get it resolved amicably.

“We are providing level-playing field to all the operators and if any operator violates the laws, we would move for an action,” he assured.

He claimed that PTA was efficiently redressing the complaints of the consumers and the redressal rate stood at 96 per cent during the month of April.

When asked about the PTA-FBR row over the dues reportedly liable to the PTA, Dr. Yaseen said there was no controversy and PTA was paying its installments on a regular basis.

“We have paid Rs 4 billion to the Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR),” he added.

Asked about the poor performance of the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), Dr. Yaseen said he had held a meeting with the PTCL management and they had assured of resolving all issues of the consumers by July-end.

He said the PTA would launch a survey to check the quality of services being offered by PTCL in the first or second week of August.

“Yes, a quality survey would be conducted in the first or second week of August, and if PTCL is found to be violating the laws inscribed in License, an action would be taken,” he remarked.

He said the PTA was also urging PTCL to allow other connections on PTCL’s Fiber to Home service.

When his comments were sought about the claims made by Telecom companies’ advertisements, Yaseen said the commercial practices and advertisements by the telecom operators should not be misleading, inadequate or unclear in terms and tariffs and there was clear and complete specification of tariff information, detailed billing information as per license conditions and publication of Code of Commercial Practice and Service Contract for the awareness of consumers.

[applesauce]

i pay $120ish a month for my cell, 1200 minutes, unlimited text/pic, unlimited data plan. whats everyone else paying?

[Rafael]

i pay $120ish a month for my cell, 1200 minutes, unlimited text/pic, unlimited data plan. whats everyone else paying?

Rs 150... Ufone tum ho to Ho!!!

[forcetrip]

Cannot beat the call rates here. Paying $1.20 for 100 min's monthly.. .12 cents a min after that.. 20 paisa a text means god knows how much in $. You can get better plans .. this one works for me for now.

[grey boy 2]

Cannot beat the call rates here. Paying $1.20 for 100 min's monthly.. .12 cents a min after that.. 20 paisa a text means god knows how much in $. You can get better plans .. this one works for me for now.

Forcetrip; Great plan ! i wish i can find something like yours in U.S.

[Choppers]

BS Reliance provides cheapest call rates all over India

15 paise Reliance 2 reliance

50 ps other network

Night calling 10pm-6am FREE (RIL-RIL)

[Zakii]

I am using 3G Network in London

1100 Minutes anytime any network
300 3 to 3 Network

1 Message = 1 Minute

only for £20 / month

Now i have got Unlimited Internet Add-on so its

£25 including internet

[smart_simple]

BS Reliance provides cheapest call rates all over India

15 paise Reliance 2 reliance

50 ps other network

Night calling 10pm-6am FREE (RIL-RIL)

NO

Tata DOCOMO gives the best offer in india 1 sec. /1 paisa to any network in India ( included S.T.D. & local)

I think no one can give this type of cheap call rate in all over the world

[Evil Flare]

We Have also Go CDMA here

Rs 150 A Month ( 2 $ )

Unlimited Calls & SMS ( Go CDMA to Go CDMA ) all Over Pakistan

[Evil Flare]

NO

Tata DOCOMO gives the best offer in india 1 sec. /1 paisa to any network in India ( included S.T.D. & local)

I think no one can give this type of cheap call rate in all over the world

1 sec / 1 paisa
means 60 Paisa per minute .. Its costly

Same Rates Here in PAK nearly on all big Companies ..

& remember Indian Rupee Value is Way Higher than Pak Currency

[shrivatsa]

i am using spice(now it is idea) manipal
idea to idea is 10 paisa/min
idea to others is 40 " "
sms is 1 paisa/sms

[sajan]

1 sec / 1 paisa
means 60 Paisa per minute .. Its costly

Same Rates Here in PAK nearly on all big Companies ..

& remember Indian Rupee Value is Way Higher than Pak Currency

Its not 60p / min. If your are talking only for 15sec u will be charged only 15p not 60p and if ur talking for 70sec u will be charged 70p not Rs 1.20. I think Airtel provides more cheaper calls than DOCOMO. They charge only 10p / min.

[rubyjackass]

Using airtel a premium service company, known for its very good connectivity.
1 Re local.
1.50 to anywhere else in india
50 ps for sms.
For reference, 1$ ~ 50 INR
But when i see 1ps/sec to anywhere in India, I am tempted to shift. Let us see.
Btw with TATA DOCOMO, if you send 3 sms, then the next 100+(dont remember the figures) sms are free. But there are complaints about signal strength.

SIM card is 49 INR and you get lifetime validity and talktime of Rs5.
Tata Docomo SIM Card is here

[ashwin]

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Tata Indicom offer: Talk endlessly for Re 1

NEW DELHI: Telecom operator Tata Teleservices on Tuesday launched a scheme that will enable its CDMA subscribers to talk endlessly for just Re.1.


Breaking away from the usual practice of charging subscribers on a one minute-pulse basis, Tata Teleservices CDMA callers will be charged Re.1 for all local calls and Rs.3 for long distance calls, regardless of the duration of the call.

The pay-per-call product has been launched on the prepaid platform, and subscribers opting for it will be charged a daily fee of Re.1.

The company is also offering short messages service (SMS) at Re.0.50, for both local and national SMS.

The pay-per-call service will be offered by Tata Indicom, the CDMA arm of Tata Teleservices.

"Pay-per-call will change the pricing paradigm in the telecom space," said Tata Teleservices managing director Anil Sardana.

Added Vineet Bhatia, the company's chief operating officer for Delhi and head of the northern region: "The service gives consumers freedom to talk to their hearts' content without any of the hassles they face on the charging front."