The users of calling cards for long distances and for international calls are facing hardships in getting calls connected as PTCL has partially switched off the DIUs of all LDI operators.
PTCL has blocked interface connection of long distance and international (LDI) telecom operators with its infrastructure for non-payment of dues, bringing the operations of around a dozen companies to a halt.
As half of the switches of the operators are out of order, people who used to call their relatives and the loved ones abroad are experiencing in getting their calls connected. "Now it has become very difficult for the last few days, as I do not get connection even after trying for hours," said a frequent international caller.
An office-bearer of an LDI operator said that PTCL had suspended the service of all operators, but the DIU switches of two companies were immediately put on. However, the service of the remaining remained suspended.
He said that there was some technical problem on the part of PTCL, due to which the prepaid calling card users were facing some problems, but expressed hope that the issue would be resolved soon.
However, PTCL Media Co-ordinator Ather Javed Sufi said that there was no problem on the part of PTCL and if there was any technical shortfall, it could be on the operators' side.
Ali Qadir Gilani, Executive Vice President of PTCL, said that Rs 2.14 were outstanding against LDI operators, out of which around 40 percent had been received and the rest was still outstanding. He said that LDI operators were committed to pay the remaining sum within a week, and if payments were not made, all their switches would be put on halt.
A few competitors termed PTCL step a negative tactic, contradicting market-based mechanism, which creates the company's monopoly after blocking all options of making or receiving international calls other than those through PTCL.
They said that PTCL should differentiate between defaulters and fair clients, as the steps like recent one could damage other operators' business and ultimately cause losses to them, said an office bearer of a competitor firm.
The LDI operators are also discontented with the recent cut in tariff on local and international calls by Pakistan Telecommunication Company and approached the telecom watchdog to reverse the decision, which they warned could affect their more than $100 million investment plans.
Sources said that as per clause 8.2 of LDI licence, an SMP (significant market player) could not change its tariff without prior approval of the authority, as the PTA had to ensure a fair, healthy and competitive LDI market.
Sources suspected that PTCL had deliberately initiated uncompetitive practices against all LDI service providers and recent price reduction was a continuation of this 'ruthless drive' against other operators.
One analyst said that PTCL was trying to create its monopoly, and operators were pressed as the PTCL had witnessed significant decline in its revenues and had lost part of LDI market.
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