A watchdog wakes up

You snooze; you lose--as the old adage goes. Telecom observers point out that the governments long-running telecom slumber is hurting Pakistan, albeit invisibly. Not only has it slowed down the countrys technological progress due to delayed spectrum auctions, they say, but it has also affected customer experience and is responsible for many foregone revenue opportunities in both public and private sectors.
But, recent events show that impression may start to change. With a permanent chairman PTA and its key members in place now--these developments owe in most part to judicial intervention--the government seems to be heeding the pressing issues faced by the industry. It is a bit too early to judge the performance, but the decisions taken in the last month or so are encouraging.
Regulatory oversight, which has to be a top priority, seems to be somewhat restored now. PTA staff has started inspections at the premises of mobile network operators in order to check the progress in blocking unverified and unregistered SIMs that pose a security threat.
The regulator has also toughened up on grey trafficking--the incidence where international calls are terminated in Pakistan by unscrupulous operators and individuals through illegal VoIP exchanges and gateways. Since early October, sophisticated tracking equipment at the PTA headquarters is monitoring the incoming voice traffic.
As of November 9, PTA had blocked over 2 lac IP addresses, along with 1,382 SIMs and 3,160 mobile phones and devices in one months time. That one registered LDI operator, M/s Wise Telecom has been apprehended in this crime reveals how deep a problem PTA is facing in curbing the grey trafficking menace. Towards that end, joint raids by the PTA and FIA are a good strategy.
Significantly, some progress has been made in resumption of the oft-stalled process of next-generation spectrum auction. Reportedly, PTA has received 7 consultancy bids for conducting this auction, mostly from international firms. The consultant is expected to be finalized by late November, giving PTA a couple of months to come up with the design and modalities before the auction takes place in late February.
The new PTA team has built up some momentum, which must be sustained to get things done. One hopes that the regulator will also pay attention to other issues facing the industry, including the formulation of a broadband-focused ICT framework and relief from exorbitant customer taxes.