THE STUDY ON AN ENVIABLE SUCCESS AND REMARKABLE GROWTH OF UFONE IN THE PREVAILING TELECOMMUNICATION ENVIRONMENTS OF PAKISTAN

Abstract

Cellular phones, once used to be status symbol for an affluent class have now emerged as staple need of our life with the turn of new millennium. Exorbitant prices of the mobile phones denied the common people an access to this telecommunication technology in the past. Mobile phone, which was earlier a pipe dream for a common person, is now very much within the reach of everybody. Be it a rehriwalah, a labourer, student, lawyer, journalist or executive in a multinational company, cell phone is contemplated as an essential part of core necessities of life. When introduced for the first time in Pakistan, the mobile sets were so big, heavy and cumbersome that it appeared to be hectic drill to carry them along with brief life of its battery. With the passage of time, the mobile phones manufacturing sector has made unprecedented strides at such a fast pace and the phone sets have got transformed into a mini computers – equipped with a video camera and internet – which can be simply carried in a pocket. The battery life too is now longer than a week’s span. Mobile phones have now brought about a spectacular change from the days when making a phone call for those not having a phone at home, was a big hassle. A few years ago, people were used to wait for months to get a new connection but now the cutthroat competition between the mobile phone operators has not only sliced down the initial cost of connection but also ensured availability of new telephone connection at a doorstep. The situation is now quite different as companies are offering their connection merely for Rs. 40 only (Ufone latest prepaid). With the prudent approach pursued by the government and active role of the private sector, the overall tele-density in the country has now reached 35 per cent, said an analyst. “Special attention is being given to consumer safeguard and conducting regular surveys of all services to check their quality” said Chairman Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Major General (R) Shahzada Alam Malik. Telecom services are available to nearly 80 per cent of the population. The overall economic activity in the sector also increased the telecom share in GDP to 2%, which is expected to grow further in the coming years. Mobile phone operators are performing well and Mobilink continues to remain leading operator in the sector with maximum market share in terms of both, subscribers and revenues. Pakistan has also earned a distinction few days ago for becoming the first country in South Asia that offers Mobile Number Portability (MNP) through which a mobile phone consumer can change a service provide any time while keeping the similar number and code unchanged. Pakistan’s cellular subscription base has now crossed 53 million. By the end of March, subscribers totalled 53.2 million, up from 35 million by the end of June 2007. According to latest estimates, the mobile subscriber will cross 66 million by 2007.