Page 110 - SAMENA Trends - May 2020

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Authority (TRA) stated that the participation of TRA in marking communication applications in addition to providing online
this occasion came this year under exceptional circumstances, education, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education.
during which efforts were made to ensure the continuity of (May 18, 2020) timesofoman.com
communication services by the Internet protocol through visual

Pakistan

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has extended Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), an organization under
the deadline for mobile devices to 3rd June, 2020 for all un- Ministry of IT and Telecommunication. (May 14, 2020) moitt.gov.pk
registered devices. IMEI number presents on mobile devices
helps in the recognition of devices. The extension has been given Federal Secretary Ministry of IT and Telecommunication Shoaib
to the public to facilitate in difficult time of COVID-19 and ensure Ahmad Siddiqui has directed the management of Pakistan
social distancing during this difficult time. It would ensure social Software Export Board (PSEB) to ensure close coordination with
distancing during lockdown. The blocking of such mobile devices the IT industry to minimize the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on
will start from 4th June 2020 and will be communicated via SMS it and take all possible steps for providing maximum facilitation
well in time. As per terms and conditions, all mobile devices being and assistance to the industry during these challenging times.
linked to local networks using local SIM are subject to registration Federal Secretary Ministry of Information Technology and
within 60 days from first use of device on local mobile networks in Telecommunication chaired a meeting to review steps being
Pakistan. However due to unexpected circumstances, unregistered taken to minimize the COVID-19 pandemic related impact
device IMEIs which were to be blocked between 18th March to 3rd on Pakistan’s information technology industry. The meeting
June 2020 will now start getting blocked from 4th June 2020. In was attended by senior Ministry officials, Managing Director -
line with the Telecom Policy 2015, Pakistan Telecommunication Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) and Chairman - Pakistan
Authority (PTA) launched Device Identification, Registration, and Software Houses Association (P@SHA). The chair was apprised
Blocking System (DIRBS) in collaboration with 3G Technologies. that in order to ensure business continuity of BPO-Call Centers, a
PTA is aware of telecom consumer’s needs and is taking number working group was created to handle associated issues in a rapid
of steps to help them in resolving their problems. Launch of this and effective manner. The said working group includes senior
new service is yet another proof of PTA’s sincerity towards its representatives from the Ministry of Information Technology
vision of protection of telecom consumers and their rights. He and Telecommunication, Pakistan Telecom Authority, Pakistan
said that this system will be implemented to automatically Identify Software Houses Association and Pakistan Software Export
sub-standard, fake, and illegally imported mobile phones, register Board. The task force has managed to mitigate or minimize
and block non-compliant devices on mobile phone networks. urgent issues pertaining to BPO-Call Center Industry such as
This unique system will restrain illegal imports, helps legitimate whitelisting of call centers and enabling work from home for call
device importers, and mobile device users, and improve overall center agents. Efforts are being made to enable usage of soft
security situation. PTA has always been involved in facilitating phones which would facilitate smaller companies and freelancers.
telecom consumers with the best telecom services along with (May 8, 2020) moitt.gov.pk
legal protection of their rights. The statistics of telecom growth in
Pakistan are proof of the satisfaction level of telecom consumers The Universal Service Fund (USF) has awarded contract worth PKR
with the quality of telecom services provided to them. Today the 588 Million to Telenor Pakistan for providing hi-speed broadband
mobile operators have enhanced this coverage to over 65% of the in Sanghar Lot (Sindh). Federal Minister IT & Telecom, Syed
population. Broadband subscribers that stood on 1.3 million till Amin ul Haque inaugurated the Next Generation Broadband for
2014 with limited speed offerings today has crossed a milestone Sustainable Development project in Sanghar (Districts of Sanghar
of 50 million (2018) with mobile broadband speed crossing 20 and Umerkot) at a ceremony held at Ministry of IT & Telecom on
Mbs. (May 16, 2020) technologytimes.pk Thursday. The contract was signed by Haaris Mahmood Chaudhry,
CEO USF and Irfan Wahab Khan, CEO Telenor Pakistan. Secretary
On the direction of the Federal Minister for IT and IT, Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui was also present at the ceremony.
Telecommunication, Ministry of Information Technology and Chief Guest of the ceremony, Syed Amin ul Haque stated that
Telecommunication is making special efforts to promote IT under the vision of Digital Pakistan, the Ministry of IT & Telecom
exports and encourage IT companies. IT & IT enabled services is taking concrete steps to spread the benefits of digitalization
(ITes) export remittances comprising of computer services to the masses. He said that during the spread of Coronavirus,
and call center services have surged to US $901.486 million at Ministry of IT & Telecom will keep on making efforts to ensure
growth rate of 23.94 % over the first 9 months of FY 2019-20 that broadband connectivity helps us overcome this crisis. He
(July-March), in comparison to US $727.353 million during the added that the key stakeholders in IT & Telecom sector should
same period in FY 2018-19, according to performance report of work together vigorously to come up with innovative ways for

110 MAY 2020