Introducing ProPakistani SMS Alerts [Subscribe Now for Free]: ProPakistani

Introducing ProPakistani SMS Alerts [Subscribe Now for Free]
Telenor Posts 18 % Revenue Growth During Q2 2012
Cellular Companies Get to Prime Minister to Get Rid of NAB
Get PTCL Nitro Device for Free
Warid Offers Quran Search Service through SMS
International Training Workshop on IPv6 and DNSSEC Concluded Successfully

Introducing ProPakistani SMS Alerts [Subscribe Now for Free]

Posted: 24 Jul 2012 12:02 AM PDT

ProPakistani Introducing ProPakistani SMS Alerts [Subscribe Now for Free] I am happy to announce that ProPakistani is now offering News Alerts on mobile phones through SMS, a service which is free for now and will remain free for months, I can confirm.

With this service, you will be able to get news updates on your mobile phones via SMS, making sure that you will never miss a thing published here on ProPakistani.

Yes, we once tried similar alerts in the past, but had to take down the service due to massive response which we weren't expecting then. We soon faced capacity issues and ultimately had to shut down the service. (Just to mention, we had over 10,000 subscribers in less than a week)

Now, however, the situation is different. We have made sure that this time the service remains live for ever, inshAllah. For the purpose, ProPakistani entered into a partnership with MAD (The Mobile Advantage Company) to bring every morning these SMS alerts to our valued readers.

Note:

ProPakistani SMS Alert service is free of cost
ProPakistani SMS Alert service is currently in beta.
SMS Alerts sent from ProPakistani will show "ProPK" as sender name.
You will get one SMS Alert per day – between 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
You may get occasional Breaking News SMS Alerts during the day – Not more than 5 per week
To Unsubscribe from SMS Alert Service click here
For questions and feedback contact us here

To Subscribe click on this link or fill following form:

Telenor Posts 18 % Revenue Growth During Q2 2012

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 11:07 PM PDT

telenor logo Telenor Posts 18 % Revenue Growth During Q2 2012 Telenor Pakistan has posted its second quarter 2012 results today, demoing a growth in revenues by 18 percentage points in local currently that amounted to Rs. 23.015 billion during the reported quarter – up from Rs. 19 billion during the same period previous year.

Telenor group, in its quarterly earning report, said that contribution of financial services (Easypaisa) towards company's revenues stood at 3.5 percent and valued Rs. 1.91 billion during three months till July 31st, 2012.

The EBITDA margin increased by 2 percentage points mainly driven by strong revenue growth, as well as improvement in gross margin from a larger proportion of on-net traffic. EBITDA in local currency increased by 26%.

Operating profit was negatively affected by Rs. 4.5 billion in accelerated depreciations related to the ongoing network modernization programme in addition to scrapping of Universal Service Fund investments in the Malakand region of Rs. 640 million and additional
depreciation due to a one-time reconstruction of fixed asset register this quarter.

Capital expenditure was low during the quarter awaiting the upcoming network modernization in addition to the reconstruction of the fixed asset register.

Company said that ARPU in local currency increased by 1%.

The number of subscriptions increased by 615,000 during the quarter. At the end of the quarter the subscription base was 12% higher than at the end of second quarter last year.

Telenor Pakistan reported that subscriptions increased by 615,000 during the quarter. At
the end of the quarter the subscription base was 12% higher than at the end of second quarter last year.

Check below financial stats issues by Telenor Group:

Cellular Companies Get to Prime Minister to Get Rid of NAB

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 10:06 PM PDT

Cellular companies are under the hammer of National Accountability Bureau for allegedly evading tax payment that they earn through interconnection charges collected from mobile phone customers.

NAB has said that the tax evasion amounts to Rs. 47 billion and mobile companies must pay this tax to avoid consequences.

However, cellular companies are naturally trying to save this money by not paying the tax – though, at the same time, they have offered the government to waive the tax till now and get tax deducted on interconnection charges from July 1st, 2012. Request was turned down by the authorities, we have learned.

Cellular companies have now collectively written a letter to Prime Minister of Pakistan to explain their viewpoint and to seek his sympathy and probably support too, in getting rid of NAB enquiry.

Here is the letter (which reached to us through a source, while a copy of it was produced in The News today)

We want to draw your kind attention to the recent media reports that have given the inaccurate and unwarranted impression that the telecom operators have evaded tax on interconnect calls and that some exemption is being allowed to the operators under Section 65 of the Sales Tax Act, 1999.

We would like to apprise that all cellular mobile operators (CMOs) are multinational companies (MNCs) working under the direct control of their foreign parent companies/investors. Being multinational companies, the CMOs are therefore required to strictly follow the corporate governance procedures and under the guidelines of their shareholding groups as well as adhering to the governing legal framework of the countries they are operating in. These are also subject to group internal audit and statutory audit requirements which ensure transparency and legal compliance.

It is pertinent to mention that mobile telecommunication is THE LARGEST tax collecting and paying sector at the moment. The total contribution of the telecom sector to national exchequer for finance year 2011-12 was in excess of Rs. 120 billion. This is in addition to billions paid as other fees and levies to the federal and provincial governments and their concerned authorities.

Furthermore, this is noteworthy to be mentioned here that the telecom operators are making a significant contribution towards the overall economy of the country by making 5% contribution ($79m) in the total foreign direct investment made in the country in FY2011, Rs117b contribution towards the national exchequer in FY2011 and a total of around 1.4m direct and indirect jobs created by the telecom industry.

Over the past couple of years the telecom industry has shown slower growth as compared to earlier years due to the grave challenges faced by the industry. Despite all the grave challenges the telecom operators have provided their best services to the customers and are still expanding to serve the untouched areas with most modern infrastructure, which shows their commitment in terms of service provision and roll out obligations.

This is to inform that based on the caller party pays regime implemented by PTA; the calling party is required to pay FED for the entire charges of telephone call (calling party network + receiving party network) which is subjected to tax in sales tax mode @ 19.5%.

We believe that

Department cannot collect tax beyond what is due on telephone calls;

Total tax on the telephone call has already been deposited in retail mode;

No tax is due on interconnect as it is mere after tax sharing of revenue on which tax has been collected/deposited on gross amount by each of the concerned telecom operator from whose network the call was initiated;

Departmental contention that tax should be paid in two parts by the calling party network and receiving party network is a mere procedural matter with no additional tax revenue for the government;

Arbitrary proceedings contrary to sales tax mode cannot survive the test of appeals.

Further, to avoid litigation the telecom operators offered to adopt the procedure proposed by the department who in turn provided waiver of past practice of industry under Section 65 of the Sales Tax Act, 1990 through notification issued by Revenue Division on June 30, 2012 which was proposed to be published in official gazette effective 30th June 2012. Please note that there was no loss to the government exchequer as alleged in the news media.

The notification issued was to ensure that CMOs may not be subjected to litigation on procedural matters. Needless to mention that in the past Revenue Division has issued numerous procedural waivers through notifications issued under Section 65 of the Sales Tax Act, 1990, being fully within its powers. Accordingly, the impression being created by some quarters as to tax evasion by telecom operators is incorrect and based on insufficient understanding of facts and related provisions of law.

We therefore request your august authority to please give us an opportunity to present correct state of affairs to your good self and your intervention and directions to the authorities including NAB to stop media trial and harassment of the telecom companies as there is no factor of corruption or loss to government exchequer involved therein even in terms of Section 9 of the NAB Ordinance, 1999. Simultaneously, directions may be given to FBR to withdraw the cases related to interconnect from all forums being baseless and against the interest of the economy of Pakistan.

Moreover, we would also request for the gazette notification of the above referred SRO issued by FBR on 30th June 2012 as well. However, if that SRO is not formally notified by the government, then since there is no loss of revenue to the national exchequer, the current practice of collecting and depositing FED in GST mode by he originating operator covering both the originating and terminating operators, which is based upon CPP (caller party pays) regime promulgated by government itself, should continue as it is. Accordingly, suitable amendments in relevant laws should be made, if deemed necessary and, as such, all proceedings by tax authorities against telecom operators in this regard should be dropped.

Get PTCL Nitro Device for Free

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 09:37 PM PDT

As part of Ramadan offerings, PTCL is offering its customers to get Nitro device for free, which usually costs Rs. 4,000.

Not only this, customers can avail waiver of one month line rent too, if paid for two months in advance.

Customers can visit any PTCL One stop shop or retailer during Ramadan, make an advance payments of Rs. 6,000 and they will be given PTCL's 3G Nitro USB absolutely free with three months of unlimited usage.

Enjoy unlimited 9.3Mbps internet usage of 3 months in 70+ cities across Pakistan with massive discounts of Rs. 3,000 on each new purchase.

Who Can Avail the Promo?

Customer has to make advance payment of 3 months line rent amounting to Rs. 6,000 to avail the offer
The offer is applicable for new subscriptions only.
Offer is valid for new Nitro customers only.
Offer can be availed through any PTCL One Stop Shop or authorized dealers.

To read more, click: Get PTCL Nitro Device for Free
ProPakistani.PK

Warid Offers Quran Search Service through SMS

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 09:18 PM PDT

In addition to already offered services, Warid has now introduced 'Quran Search' service to further stretch the portfolio of Islamic services being offered by Warid Telecom to both prepaid and postpaid subscribers.

Quran Search Service

'Quran Search' allows a customer to search the Holy Quran via SMS according to Surah, Ayat and topic simply by writing the Surah or Ayat number or a topic name. Customers will be able to receive translations of the Holy Quran via SMS in Urdu as well as English.

Search the Quran according to:

Surah
Ayat
Topic (for example Inheritance, Day of Judgment, Mairaj, Ramadan, etc.)

Mechanics: Send "Quran" in an SMS to 6786 to start using the service.

Charges: Rs. 1.50+tax/SMS

786 Islamic Service

This Ramadan Warid introduces a special Ramadan Menu as part of its 786 Islamic Service. The menu includes:

Ramadan Quiz
Aaj kay din ki duayain
Ramadan kay masail
Taraveeh
Ramadan kay Dars

Furthermore, the customer who spends the most amount of time on the call on 786 will win an Umrah Package for two, through a lucky draw.

Islamic Service also includes the following:

Recitation of Quranic Ayat
Quranic Ayat with translation
Tafseer-e-Quran
Ahadith
Namaz, Sehr and Iftar timings
Hamd and Naat
Qawali
Dua

Just dial 786 from your Warid number and listen to much more.

Call Charges: Rs.5+tax /5 minutes

Ramadan Alerts Service

Stay in touch with Namaz, Sehr and Iftar Alerts and much more. Warid offers following services this Ramadan:

Ramadan Alerts Package 1:

Subscribe to Namaz and Sehr and Iftar Alerts by sending "RA" in an SMS to 2020
Charges: Rs.15+tax/month

Ramadan Alerts Package 2:
- Subscribe to Warid Ramadan Alerts package 2 which includes:
  - Namaz Alerts
  - Sehr and Iftar Alert
  - Ayat
  - Ahadith
  - Allah's Name with Meanings
  - Prophet's (S.A.W) Name with Meanings
  - Daily Tasbeeh
  - Today in History
  - Taaq Raat Alert
  - Send "RM" in an SMS to 2020.
  - Charges: Rs.25+tax/month

Islamic Caller Tunes

Users can set their favorite Islamic Caller Tune by dialing 105 or by sending "RBT<space>ON" in an SMS to 7171.

Users can choose from the following list of the most popular Islamic tunes ranging from recitation of Surahs to Hamds and Naats:

Sr no.	Tone ID	Title	Artist
1	53695	Karam Maangta Hun	Owais Raza Qadri
2	55907	Mohammad Ka Roza	Junaid Jamshed
3	53698	Durood	Milad Raza Qadri
3	55971	Shah-e-Medina	Javeria Saleem
4	56839	Gunahon Ki Aadat	Owais Raza Qadri
5	55943	Allah Ho Allah Ho	Owais Raza Qadri
6	55943	Allah Ho Allah Ho	Owais Raza Qadri
7	56948	Wohi Khuda Hai	Khursheed Ahmed
8	56972	Qaseeda Burdah	Mesut Kurtis
9	56946	Mehboob Ki Mehfil	Khursheed Ahmed
10	56887	Faslon Ko Takaluf	Tahir Qadri
11	55954	Jalwa-e-Janaan	Junaid Jamshed
12	568310	Hum Faqiron ko Madine	Abida Khanum
13	56941	Yeh Sab Tumhara Karam Hai Aaqa	Khursheed Ahmed
14	56894	Zah-e-Muqqadar	Tahir Qadri
15	569610	Fazail E Asma E Husna	Name of Allah
16	56729	Surah Fatiha	Abdur Rehman Assudais
17	56727	Surah Rehman	Abdur Rehman Assudais
18	56731	Surah Muzammil	Abdur Rehman Assudais
19	5023	Bhar do Jholi	Maqbool Ahmed Sabri
20	58308	Main To Panjtan Ka Ghulam Hoon	Fasih Uddin Soharwardi

Charges: Rs. 5+tax/min

International Training Workshop on IPv6 and DNSSEC Concluded Successfully

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 09:01 PM PDT

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) in collaboration with Asia Pacific Network Information Center (APNIC) organized an International training workshop on Internet Resource Management (IRM), DNS Security Extensions (DNSSEC) and Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) at a local hotel in Islamabad from 18-20 July.

The training was attended by 40 participants across the country representing technical community, public officers, academia and businesses. Over the span of three days, the training workshop presented the structures, processes, procedures, and policies involved in requesting, allocating, and managing Internet addresses (IPv4 and IPv6) and Autonomous System (AS) numbers from APNIC. The course also included aspects of the APNIC Whois Database, Reverse DNS delegations, and MyAPNIC address management tool.

The training also covered concepts of DNS, its security mechanisms along with the deployment of DNSSEC with demonstrations.

The course also provided an understanding and hands-on exposure to IPv6, its structure, operation, and technical features. IPv6 addressing and architecture was discussed in detail, and the issues related to the deployment, transition and coexistence with IPv4 were examined. This course also included hands-on IPv6 configurations on host computers as well as IPv6 network building and configuration scenarios. Participants got the opportunity to work on lab exercises related to deploying IPv6 in dual-stack operational IXP/ISP environments as well as native IPv6 transit.

This core objective behind this training workshop was to provide a capacity building opportunity to local community members. It is noteworthy that this was first such workshop hosted in Islamabad and facilitated by APNIC.

Participants of the training workshop demonstrated great participation spirit while acknowledging the training as a worthy source of learning and enhancing their technical concepts. They were of the view that such training workshops should be arranged in future as well to promote and address capacity building requirements among the local community.

During the closing ceremony, APNIC trainers appreciated the participants for their active participation. Trainers also presented their gratitude to PTA for their mutual collaboration in arranging the training workshop. They also showed their interest to arrange such training events in future as well.

This training workshop was a result of mutual collaboration carried out by PTA's ICT Directorate and APNIC over the past 6 months. Such events will definitely assist in promoting technical capacity building within community members while also encouraging International institutes to deliver such capacity building events in Pakistan.

Read more »

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