Warid Telecom (Pvt) Limited and Mobilink-GSM signed the interconnection agreement for GSM traffic to establish connectivity between the two cellular mobile providers. The agreement was signed by Hamid Farooq, CEO Warid Telecom and Zouhair A. Khaliq, President & CEO Mobilink GSM in the presence of Major General Shahzada Alam Malik (Retd), Chairman Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA).
Warid Telecom has already signed the interconnect agreement for GSM traffic with Ufone (PTML), Instaphone (Pakcom), Paktel (Pak Millicom) and PTCL, and interconnect agreement for long distance international traffic with PTCL. The interconnection agreements set out commercial and financial terms, technical parameters, call scenarios, billing details and other necessary terms upon which these companies will provide connectivity to each other.
Commenting over the occasion Hamid Farooq mentioned that he is confident that this interconnection agreement shall be the beginning of a durable and long lasting relationship between the two operators. He added that this signing will be followed by a lot of activity at engineering, finance, IT and other departments in Warid and Mobilink and hoped that the spirit shown at the occasion will be replicated at all levels.
Hamid Farooq further mentioned that the real test of interconnect will come when the traffic counterpart departments will be required. He expressed his optimism that as progressive operators Warid and Mobilink both would be able to ensure exemplary quality of service benchmark offerings to the subscribers.
Regarding the competition, Hamid Farooq said that Warid considers Mobilink and other incumbent operators as its partners in the cellular mobile sector. All are striving for the common goal ie customer satisfaction and productivity enhancement. All sharing the same values are committed to the same set of principles and are joint stakeholders in Pakistan's telecom market. He expected that the cellular tele-density of the country is likely to improve in the light of promising estimates by reliable think tanks. As a result the overall size of the pie will increase and there will be enough market potential for every operator.
While commenting on the role of regulator he expressed his satisfaction by the effective role played by PTA in the deregulation process. He said that the telecom sector dynamics in Pakistan demand PTA to ensure continued level playing field for all operators so that a truly competitive market could be established. He also appreciated the continued support the regulator is providing to the new entrants and further added that PTA has not only promoted investment in the telecom sector but it has substantially protected consumer interests. In establishing mechanisms for quality of service, PTA has played its balancing act. From ensuring a strict regulatory involvement in operations and interest of consumers, PTA has strengthened its bond with consumers and the investors at the same time. PTA has kept itself at bay of any controversies, reflecting on what good governance can do to an economy or industry.