Mobile phone service to be launched in AJK on April 26

The mobile phone service will be launched in Azad Jammu and Kashmir on April 26, 2004.
The GSM mobile service named as SCOM (Special Communication Organisation Mobile) will start functioning in the capital city of Muzaffarabad and Industrial City Mirpur from Monday.
The SCOM-a subsidiary of Pakistan army providing telecommunication services in Azad Kashmir and Northern Areas-has initially installed 5000 lines GSM system in AJK, 3300 lines for Muzaffarabad and 1700 for Mirpur.
A Chinese Telecom Company gifted this 5000 GSM lines system to Pakistan in September 2002, for AJK.
The AJK's own GSM system has been given the dialing identity code of 0335, with limited scope of services.
President Musharraf had announced the launching of mobile phone service for AJK and Northern Areas on August-27, 2001.
The SCOM service will be restricted to Muzaffarabad and Mirpur and subscribers would be able to dial other mobile operations in Pakistan through fixed (PSTN) network.
The roaming facility in the cities of Pakistan through other mobile phones operators will be provided after issuance of National Roaming Policy.
The government of Pakistan has also approved a project of 50000 GSM lines for AJK and Northern Areas.
The SCOM has been charging very highly for its connection i. e. Rs 3200 including a prepaid card of Rs 500 value. Furthermore, connection form is also being charged at Rs 100.
The SCOM subscribers are wary about the short coverage range of the mobile service and public did not respond highly to said service given the existence of Mobilink, Instaphone and Paktel services in Muzaffarabad and in other higher places without with their system installations.