PTA earns Rs 486 million in 2002-03

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) issued 80 licenses for different value-added services during 2002-03.
Out of the total, 56 licenses were issued for card pay phone services, 15 for electronic information services and 9 for other services.
The PTA, responsible to promote and develop country's telecommunication sector, was also devising strategies to implement and execute telecom deregulation policy announced in 2003, according to PTA's annual report 2002-03.
Referring to implementation of de-regulation policy, the report said PTA has adopted a proactive approach and necessary preparations are under way for the transparent implementation of the policy.
The authority initiated a consultation process with industry stakeholders and finalised a number of licensing documents to implement and execute the policy.
During the period, the PTA also introduced video conferencing system to promote availability of wide-range of high quality, efficient, cost-effective and competitive telecommunication services throughout Pakistan.
First license to establish, maintain and operate Video Conferencing in the country was issued to M/s Universal Communication System (Pvt) Ltd.
License to operate GSM Cellular Mobile Telephone System in AJK & Northern Areas was also issued to SCO last year, the report said.
On the request, the authority modified the existing 11/s Paktel license and granted permission to migrate from AMPS to EGSM. Besides making efforts to promote the telecom sector, the authority also contributed Rs 474 million to national kitty on account of annual fee and royalty payable on licenses during 2002-03.
The total income during the period was Rs 645 million against an expenditure of Rs 157 million resulting into an excess of Rs 486 million.
The report said due to effective collection, the license fee receivable was reduced to Rs 116 million compared with Rs 277 million as of June 30, 2002.
The PTA has undertaken an extensive exercise to overhaul the accounting set up to develop a reliable system for maintaining correct and adequate underlying records.