Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has deposited Rs 1.2 billion with the AJ&K Council Secretariat and NAs Secretariat on account of Initial License Fee (ILF) collected from four mobile operators to whom licenses were issued for AJ&K and NAs.
In the wake of October 8 earthquake, PTA granted temporary permission to mobile phone companies operating in Pakistan for provision of services in quake-hit areas.
Later on, they were invited to obtain permanent licenses for Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJ&K) and Northern Areas (NAs) against the ILF of 10 million dollars each. Subsequently four mobile companies M/s Mobilink, M/s Ufone, M/s Warid and M/s Telenor acquired licenses by paying 50 percent of the license fee (5 million dollars each) as per the terms of the payment.
Twenty million dollars (Rs 1.2 billion) collected by PTA from four operators has been deposited with the AJ&K Council Secretariat and Chief Secretary NAs in the ratio of 77:23 based on the population of the two areas. Their shares were Rs 927.696 million and Rs 277.104 million respectively. In view of special circumstances, PTA has not deducted any fee from the amount.
The fifth mobile license for AJ&K and NAs has recently been issued to CMPak (Paktel) for which the fees would be deposited under the same arrangements. All five mobile companies will pay remaining 50 percent (ie 5 million dollars each) in 10 equal annual instalments.
It may be mentioned that with the introduction of mobile phone services, people of these areas are getting enhanced communication facilities. So far one million cellular mobile connections have been provided by cellular operators in AJK and NAs.
Mobile service is available in areas of AJK including Bagh, Bhimber, Bharhing, Kotli, Muzzafferabad, Palandri, Rawalakot, Mirpur etc.
In Northern Areas Gilgit, Hunza, Chilas, Skardu, Shigar, Danyor have been provided mobile services.
Moreover, Special Communication Organisation (SCO) which was the major provider of telecom services in the region till very recent is working on its several developmental activities including Rural Telecom Uplift Project Phase II for provision of 80,000 telephone lines (along with 266 km optic fibre), enhancement of GSM capacity by 65,000 lines, laying of 570 km optic fibre, 26 digital exchanges with VSAT connectivity and laying of outside plant (OSP) in NAs.