Pakistan IT » Numbers

PTA Issues Procedures for MVNOs Numbering Plan

Pakistan IT — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 15:36:24 +0000

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued draft of numbering procedures to be utilized by upcoming Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) for their services to Pakistan’s customers, we have confirmed with sources.

MVNOs in collaboration with their partners Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) or cellular operators will further plan their numbers under the guidelines of the authority.

PTA directed all interesting MVNOs to submit their numbering plans prior to commence their service operation keeping mandatory features in the subscribers numbers including Mobile country code (MCC), Mobile network code, (MNC), National destination code (NDC) along with geographic number as per ITU-T recommendations.

410 is the mobile country code for Pakistan
2-digit Mobile Network Code (MNC) = 00 to 99
2-digit National Destination Code (NDC) 03x where x = 0 to 9)
MSIN (Mobile Station Identification Number) is allotted by mobile network operator

The authority will allocate numbering block of 5000 numbers against previously allocated NDC of particular mobile operator to MVNOs against each city/district/location.

MVNOs shall submit numbering utilization plan for requesting additional numbering block.

PTA directed all cellular mobile operators to reserve the pool of numbers for MVNOs and pass on this information to PTA along with fees if applicable. MVNOs will submit advance annual number charges along with application processing fee for number allocation as per “Numbering administration & allocation regulations 2005”.

Sources in the PTA said that MVNOs are likely to obtain license this year as they have been exchanging detailed and persistent inquires with the authority regarding business environment of cellular sector in Pakistan.

PTA’s officials are very hopeful to introduce MVNOs in coming couple of years as operators with financially sound standing have been in the contact with the authority.

PTA officials said the genuine MVNOs are likely to negotiate with operators once they finalize discussions on policy and regulations with PTA.

Mobile operators, on the other hand, did not receive any satisfactory response from MVNOs.

However, an MVNO, Friendi Mobile was engaged with Zong shunned its 100 million dollar deal in the same year subsequently PTA set the license fee.

So far, not a single MVNO has started its business in the country since its policy framework had been rolled out in October 2009. According to policy, the license fee was set at US$ 5 million for the period of 10-year, which was considered as astronomical high by the industry experts.

The regulatory measures for development of MVNO’s services were taken late in Pakistan.

As per cellular phone policy 2004, the MVNO policy framework should have been issued in 2006, which was made public in 2009. After more than one years of policy, there is no report that MVNO has apparently shown interest to work in Pakistan though MVNOs have been growing significantly in other countries of the world.

PTCL Premium Number Service

Pakistan IT — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 11:52:54 +0000

Hold your seats now. You can get an amazing opportunity to get Platinum or Golden numbers with Cordless sets through PTCL Premium Number service with increased memorability. Premium number service includes numbering range which comprise of 3 -4-5 consecutive digits which are exclusively suitable for customers who want one premium family number for their home which is easy to remember and ear pleasing. This also gives comfort to your callers as they don’t have to remember complex and more commonly used numbers.

Package Tariff:

Platinum package @ Rs 15,000
Golden package @ Rs 10,000
Rs. 2000 charges to be billed through first monthly bill for both categories
Same installation fee and line rent charges

Order Line:

This service can be acquired by calling 0800 80 800 helpline or through walk-in channels.

Frequently Asked Questions- FAQs

1. Who can avail Premium Number Service?
Ans: All the customers who want to have new PTCL landline connection and are interested to get the Platinum or Golden numbers.

2. What are service charges?
Ans: If customer opts for Platinum number, then he/she will be charged @ Rs15000 (Cost for Platinum number + Cordless). In case of Golden number, he/she will be charges@ Rs 10,000 (Cost for Golden number+ Cordless). Rs. 2000 charges to be billed through first monthly bill for both categories

3. How to avail this service?
Ans: By calling 0800 8 0800 helpline or through Walk-In channels (from designated list of OSS).

4. Can existing PTCL customers acquire this service?
Ans: No. This service would be applicable on only new telephone connection requests. Existing customers can opt for secondary PTCL landline in order to avail this service.

5. Can I suggest my own number for Premium number service?
Ans: No.

6. Is it necessary for me to get the Cordless Set after getting the PTCL landline number? What if I don’t?
Ans: Yes. This is a new telephone connection (NTC) promotion bundled with Cordless sets. In bundled services you cannot select one and leave the other offer.

7. Are there any additional charges for Premium Number Service?
Ans: There are two packages “Platinum Number”@ @ Rs15000 (Cost for Platinum number + Cordless) and Golden Number @ Rs10,000 (Cost for Golden number + Cordless). Rs. 2000 charges to be billed through first monthly bill for both categories

8. Will I surely get the Platinum/Golden number selected during the order entry time?
Ans: Every new telephone request in PTCL under goes a resource confirmation/ feasibility process, if that is clear then you will surely get the desired number which is selected at the time of order taking.

9. How much time it will take to get my PTCL Landline installed at my premises?
Ans: At least seven days. Its depends on the area customer is in and the feasibility report.

10. How to acquire Cordless set and where to deposit the set charges?
Ans: Once the landline is installed and you get the External Construction worksheet order form from the customer support representative. You will take this form to specific PTCL One Stop Shop (OSS) as informed by the CSR during the Order taking time.

11. I have lost the External Construction Work order form, how do I get Cordless now?
Ans: You can visit specific PTCL One Stop Shop (OSS) as informed by the CSR during the Order taking time and request for cordless set.

12. My neighbor doesn’t have any PTCL landline number. What to do now?
Ans: Premium numbers have been reserved Exchange wise across Pakistan. Neighbor number is very important in order to indentify the right exchange for the requesting customer to avoid ambiguity at our end.

13. Can Premium number be shifted to other exchange, if I change my geographical location?
Ans: No. In that case, you might not get the same number again.

14. My cordless set is faulty, how can I replace it?
Ans: You can take this set to specific PTCL One Stop Shop (OSS) as informed by the CSR during the Order taking time

15. Are there any special PSTN features which I get through this service?
Ans: There are no other special features except having a easy to remember Platinum/Golden Number.

Get Same Number for PTCL and Ufone

Pakistan IT — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 09:01:15 +0000

PTCL is still trying to capture more and more landline customers and as a result after, the recent discount promotion PTCL once again has come up with another innovative and appealing offer which is a part of ongoing Synergy Projects with its sister concern company UFONE .

Through this offer any customer who wants to acquire a new telephone connection (NTC) can also get UFONE SIM with the same number (03xx-7 digit) as of PTCL Landline.

What’s the deal?

•No special charges for PTCL number/UFONE SIM
•Same installation fee and line rent charges for PTCL Landline.
•SIM will be sent to the customer through TCS (Courier Service). Customer just needs to pay ordinary UFONE charges (Rs 150 and a balance of Rs 100 will be available)
How to get this?

This service can be acquired by calling 0800 80 800 helpline or through walk-in channels.

Note:
•This service would be applicable on only new telephone connection requests.
•Existing customers can opt for secondary PTCL landline in order to avail this service.
•This is a PTCL NTC promotion, so UFONE customers cannot apply for this service for their existing numbers.
•You cannot suggest your own numbersNumbers are already matched in both networks which are not assigned to any customer yet.
•Every new telephone request in PTCL under goes a resource confirmation/ feasibility process, if that is clear then you will surely get the desired number which is selected at the time of order taking.
•Process takes at least seven days. Its depends on the area customer is in and the feasibility report.
•UFONE will send the SIM to customer premises through TCS. TCS Rep will collect Rs 150 from the customer as SIM charges.
•Identical numbers have been reserved Exchange wise in three main cities. Neighbor number is very important in order to indentify the right exchange for the requesting customer to avoid ambiguity at our end.
•There are no other special features except having Identical Number UFONE SIM as well.