The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication should finalise the new cellular policy after taking into account proposals floated by all stakeholders, sources told Business Recorder here on Friday.
Stakeholders have certain reservations over the draft policy and have proposed amendments to make it more viable for the concerned industry.
They are of the view that the policy should be reviewed properly before placing it for public comments.
Cellular operators have proposed amendment in a clause which makes it mandatory for the exiting companies to share their infrastructure with the new entrants in the market. In March, 2004, government will be giving two new licences for cellular operations.
Clause 6.5 of the draft policy states: "All licensees will implement infrastructure sharing no later than six months from the policy approval date, subject to guidelines to be issued by PTA. The PTA shall, after due consultation, modify the current mobile licences to include a lease facilities on a non-discriminatory basis, to such other service providers facilities.
The facilities provided may include space, electrical power, air-conditioning and security, cable ducts and space on antenna masts or towers, rooms, towers, cable, etc under the control of the Licensee and required for the use of such others, it being understood that the Licensee shall not be required to construct new facilities for lease to such other service providers hereunder."
While explaining the reason behind this policy decision the draft states: "A new entrant without interconnection and without the ability to share infrastructure as necessary with an existing Licensee faces disadvantages that could seriously affect their operations and short term viability".
On this clause, market analysts insist that arrangements like infrastructure sharing may very well be feasible in advanced countries of the world where companies specialising in telecommunication infrastructure build it on their own and then lease out to cellular companies.
In Pakistan, cellular companies have invested over a billion dollars in infrastructure development over the last 15 years and it is not understandable why companies should share their infrastructure with the new companies.
Stakeholders contest that in case of infrastructure sharing it will result in overloading of the system, and quality of service will drop.
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