I welcome all the participants on the auspicious occasion of 8th International Mobile Commerce Conference, the premier event being organized by Total Communication for the eight consecutive year. With the support of all stakeholders the event is now a permanent and key feature of technology map of Pakistan, and the flagship event of Mobile Commerce. Our special thanks again to Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) which have been supportive of the initiative from the very beginning and have played a key role in its success.
The consistent growth in mobile sector is now reaching a saturation point. Recent acts for biometric verification clearly shows that the earlier figures may need restatements. Still the deep and wide penetration across the national horizon requires focus to be shifted for value-added services for the wide strata of subscribers.
The 3G/4G launch last year has tremendous potential to change the national technology landscape. The 3G/4G users have crossed million mark for specific single Telcos, showing great opportunities for all the operators in coming times. New products are being developed that are 3G/4G enabled/supportive.
National Financial Sector has been playing a proactive role to come up with products that are reachable across mobile spectrum nation-wide. Every Telco now has its own Branchless Banking brand and few banks have their non-Telco based BB solutions. Banks now offer Mobile Banking as a normal banking service for its account holders. Most of these BB services are tailored for citizens that do not posses bank accounts. The Funds transfer facility through Mobile Commerce is now a common feature of Pakistan's national life. Annual transactions are touching Trillion Mark for Branchless Banking.
To cover the potential risks and threats associated such large volume, SBP and PTA have introduced specific Regulations for Mobile Commerce. The high level collaboration between banking and telecommunication regulators will assist in developing a unified regulatory framework to facilitate the customers of telecom and banking sectors. The regulators are targeting to serve banked and un-banked customers and also to protect user interest. Despite all efforts still a small percentage of national population is using Mobile Commerce services. Therefore, the road to sustainable Mobile Commerce platform is long in Pakistan.
In the end, on behalf of Total Communication, I thank the Title sponsor Easypaisa and all other sponsors, without whom, of course, this venture would not have been a great success year after year. I wish a great, vibrant time ahead for all the stakeholders and hope to see all you again at next annual Mobile Commerce with more focus, energy and better results.
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