Lack of funds hindering provision of broadband services to remote areas: PTA chief

Lack of financial resources is mainly hindering provision of broadband services to the remote areas, but Pakistan has a huge untapped potential market with only seven percent of the total household having access to broadband internet, Dr Mohammed Yaseen, Chairman Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) said here on Tuesday.
He was addressing the 'South Asia Conference 2012 organised by PTA in collaboration with Wateen Telecom. Declan Byrne, President, WiMAX Forum, Shyam Kaushal, South Asia Regional Director, WiMAX Forum, Dr Khawar Siddique Khokhar, Member Technical, PTA, Naeem Zamindar, CEO, Wateen Telecom, and Rawaz Rauf, Marketing Manager, Fanoos Telecom were also among the participants.
The Chairman said that the fixed market space is virtually untapped, however, future potential for growth is immense for broadband operators. "The PTA is thankful to the WiMAX Forum for bringing together industry leaders from the region to discuss vital issues such as exploring different go-to-market strategies and applications to make investments by the telecom operators profitable", the Chairman added.
Dr Muhammad Yaseen said that the 22 million broadband connections have been provided across the country so far while the mobile banking should be focused to have direct positive impact on the economy.
The basic purpose of the conference was to create awareness how WiMAX is a cost-effective, sustainable and easily scalable solution for broadband distribution. It can help improve the country's economy by helping industries such as electricity, aviation, oil and gas, agriculture, healthcare among others in becoming more efficient, transparent and vertical through various applications. For instance, WiMAX can help resolve Pakistan's electricity crisis through smart grid applications, efficient and secure electricity distribution.
Pakistan has four WiMAX operators, namely Wateen, Qubee, Mobilink Infinity and Wi-Tribe who account for around 29 percent of the total broadband market share. Consumers in the country are showing their preference for wireless broadband, which offers a lucrative untapped broadband market. Pakistan is the first country in the world to have rolled out a nation-wide WiMAX network, established by Wateen Telecom, making the country a perfect setting for the WiMAX community to host its South-Asia Conference. "WiMAX technology has achieved a penetration rate of 50 percent of all broadband connections in urban centers in Pakistan. This success of the technology is unparallel anywhere else in the world. "I am delighted to come to Pakistan and look forward to returning to continue supporting the success of WiMax operators," Declan Byrne revealed.
Responding to a query, Declan Byrne said that such a conference would increase foreign investment in Pakistan, which will enhance broadband Internet facilities and create jobs opportunities. He added that WiMAX is more successful in Pakistan as compared to the other countries of the world. Naeem Zamindar, CEO Wateen Telecom, said that the Wateen Telecom focus on proliferating broadband Internet in Pakistan. "We are firmly committed to the idea that WiMAX can change every aspect of life in Pakistan for the better. Being one of the pioneers for the technology in the world, Wateen believes WiMAX is the solution of choice for emerging countries and can leapfrog Pakistan to progress", Naeem added.