The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) would soon issue two more licences through open auction for carrying out cellular business in the country, said PTA Chairman Major General Shahzada Alam (Retd).
During a meeting with Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industries Vice-President Shahzad Ali Malik, the PTA chief said as many as 33 companies, including 17 multi-nationals had submitted letters of interest to carry out this business, adding that two highest bidders would be given licenses that would ultimately create an atmosphere of competition in which the existing cellular companies would be forced to reduce its tariff and improve standard of services.
Moreover, he said that efforts were being made to bring down tax on cell phone connection to Rs 1,000 in the forthcoming federal budget.
Shahzad Ali Malik called upon cell phone companies to improve standard of its services, and bring down tariff to tap the potential of the telecom sector to the fullest.
He said that technical problems like congestion, line-drop, poor connectivity coupled with over-billing particularly hidden charges were posing a lot of difficulties to the cell phone-users.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority chairman also said the government would also issue license to a private company for fixed-line connections.