Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Editor s
N ote
Together we are!
Pakistan is a land blessed with not only diverse
natural reservoirs, but also with innumerable human
Zubair Ahmed Kasuri Editor-in-Chief
resources. In its short history of 60 years we have seen it
fighting with either human imposed or Heaven imposed Fatima Batool Editor
8
Stop it. Please!
The GM Operations,
PTCL Islamabad.
The Subject telephone number got out of order some seven days
back when the F-11 exchange staff installed another line in the
neighborhood. Later it turned out that the person who came for
installation took some greething money and changed the wire line
and pairs with the lines of the undersigned. I approached the
PTCL Fraudband
telephone staff at F-11 Exchange who promised to get the line
changed and temporarily repaired the lines. After two days the
I have PTCL broadband 2mbps but its download speed is too low. I
telephone became out of order again and since then I repeatedly
hate to use a connection which has 120kbps as it is practically
contacted the linemen but to no avail as they demand extra money.
unhealthy for me. I have complained several times to pathetic
Ultimately I approached Mr Nazier SDO on his Mobile No
consumer service, but received no response from PTCL.
03335138503 who assured me of getting the telephone line repaired
The stability issue is to do with the quality of the phone line coming in
and kept on reminding him every day till he started cutting off my
to your houses. As far as the servers are concerned, PTCL did recently
line on his mobile on which I send him SMS messages which he
change their servers and forgot to tell their customers. I only found out
failed to comply forcing me to approach the higher officers directly.
because I knew someone within the PTCL.
It appears as if his subordinate staff is too busy to collect bribes then
If the line coming in to your house is fractious or has loose
to obey their senior.
connections/joints then you receive lower speed. It will also affect the
It is requested that my telephone No. 0512292795 maybe repaired
stability of the connection. Stability can be improved by increasing the
and an internal inquiry may be held into the affairs of F-11
noise on the line which in turn will reduce your connection speeds.
Exchange so that the subscribers get a sigh of relief from the
When I ring the Technical Help department, they do not even have a
malpractices of the staff of F-11 Exchange whose efficiency and
clue of the trouble and at my complaint they came out with ridiculous
public dealings have dropped down severely with the recent
arguments. One even argued that there is no way that PTCL can verify
transfer of officers from the exchange.
what sync speed my connection was and what I had to do was take a
Jamil Qureshi
Screen Shot and email it to them while downloading a file which he
will send to head office in Islamabad who will then decide whether
there is any action to take - what a crap!! Can you people help me to PTCL linemen mafia
sort out this issue with PTCL?
Shoaib Cheema, Rawalpindi PTCL linemen mafia is very strong in our country. I applied in June
and followed my application again and again. I called, wrote, emailed
to PTCL management and they assured that line will be provided
Kindly cut my connection soon. But lineman of our area is really a tough man. PTCL
management is helpless in front of him. They call and order, they say
To or request I don't know. But, yet I am unable to get a land line
Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited. connection.
The reason behind my lineman's anger is his demand of Rs5000 for
Subject: Discontinue/disable PTCL broadband connection installation and I am not ready to fulfil it. Why should I or
any citizen bribe?
Please discontinue/disable our PTCL broadband connection PTCL management was informed of the delay and the demand but
urgently. there reaction is quite passive. I did complaint on Chief Minister's
Complaint Cell, but who can push back the linemen lobby that is
Telephone No. 081-2660716 established from decades.
Package: 2 mbps Sadique Ahmad, Lahore
User Name: Aslamweb
Duration of using broadband: 2 years
Cell phone: 0321-813-2711 Recycling
Reason of disabling: low speed of the downloading and browsing
from last three months and I have complained more then 200 times Paper is a fantastic material suitable for numerous uses, including
but no response from their side you can check my record of manufacturing notebooks, books, calendars, and magazines,
complains. I have sent more then 50 e-mails to wrapping gifts, and wrapping items in stores. Paper is widely used in
dsl.support@ptcl.net.pk but all in vain. offices for writing, printing documents, and photocopying. At home,
Exchange office tells me to contact 1218. And 1218 senior supports paper is used to clean, to dry things, and for many other purposes. In
tell me to contact with your exchange. I don't understand what to short, paper is one of the most versatile and common products of
do? modern societies.
Receiving 40-50 kbps and package is 2 mbps. I have paid three Paper is made up of cellulose fibres held together by glue. By hand or
months bill for 2 mbps but I am receiving speed of 512 kbps. even by means of special machines, it is possible to separate the fibres
Regards of paper from each other and reuse them to make new paper. In the
Aslam Khan, 0321-813-2711 industrial processes of recycling printed paper, a deinking treatment
is often performed in order to brighten it.
What does recycling paper mean? To produce paper it is necessary to
Cellphone towers cut down trees. Considering the large quantity of paper used in the
world (about 300 million tons), every year entire forests are cut down.
Cell phone towers are being built in residential areas in the city This constitutes disruption to nature. Moreover, when paper is no
without any regard to the danger they pose to the people's health. longer needed, it is often dumped in landfills, but part of it also ends
These towers emit harmful rays that are a big source of brain tumours up in the environment, contributing to pollution.
and cancer. The diseases are spreading rapidly in our country. Recycling paper means reducing both the number of trees cut down
In view of this situation I would request cellphone companies, as well and pollution to the environment. Newspapers can be used to make
as the government, to take necessary measures to ban forthwith any new newspapers. Recycling can also include reusing products for
further installation of such towers in populated areas and later on different purposes in your own home instead of throwing them away,
relocate those already build tower to areas far off from the population. such as using an old coffee can as a planter or a milk carton as a bird
Mariam Siddiqui, Karachi feeder. Recycling centres create four jobs for every one job in the waste
disposal industry and recycling programs keep 70 tons of waste from
being deposited into landfills every year.
Farid Akhtar, Multan
9
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Flare is proud to achieve FM radio licence and will very soon trigger its
services in the historical city of Kasur
akistan Electronic Media Regulatory country so that every one could enjoy access to (Administration) were also present on the
PTCL monopoly ?
DSL wholesale and
Problems are:
retail prices of the
• Disconnect after every 10-30 minutes;
PTCL and
• DSL is synced but IP is not assigning;
committed to
• IP is assigned to my computer but
resolve this long internet is not working; and
outstanding issue within a • Their customer service sucks.
month. Pakistan has come a I complained many time about these problems,
long way from the early nobody even contacted me.
days of Internet in 1990s I talked to their CSR and asked to cancel the
with only one submarine DSL service. She told me that you have to go to
cable connecting the PTCL’s main office with all the equipments
country with rest of the (router etc.) and paid telephone bill, such a
world. stupid process.
The country today has Interesting thing is that my DSL is not
three submarine cables syncing while I am writing this review. By the
linking Karachi with way a good Dial up is much better than PTCL’s
Southeast Asia, Europe and DSL service because at least you can continue
North America named as your online work/assignments. You can
change the ISP instantly if you are facing
The ISPs have been complaining to the PTA time and problems but in case of DSL it is a nightmare to
T
SWM3, SMW4 and TWA, first two with the
has decided to allow the Internet
Service Providers (ISPs) and DSL
PTCL and Pakistan which is Rs2 per 20 minutes
the third with a private operator.
operators to buy Internet bandwidth pulse: PR
from backbone operators other than the PTCL, It is quite often in Pakistan that companies
thus settling a two-year row of the ISPs versus withdraw services or increase tariffs without
the PTCL. notifying customers. This has happened once
The ISPs have been complaining to the PTA again. PTCL’s Phone n Net service, which was
to amend their DSL Interconnect Agreement previously free, is charged at Rs2 per 20
with the PTCL signed a few years ago in which minutes pulse from May 16, 2008 which means
the ISPs were restricted to procure Internet that internet will cost Rs6 per hour.
bandwidth from the PTCL only. Interestingly this happened without any
Since the telecom deregulation in 2004, new advertisement, alert, notification but a press
operators have laid their infrastructure release placed at a deep link on PTCL’s website:
nationally as well as internationally and two effective from May 16 the charging of PTCL
years back, second alternate backbone provider, Phone n net will be in-line with prevailing
the TWA, started its services in the country. But industry tariff in Pakistan which is Rs2 per 20
the DSL operators, who are the major purchaser minutes pulse, say P.
of Internet bandwidth, were restrained by their Telecom operators, whether cellular or
unilateral agreement with the PTCL not to buy landline, are bold enough to neglect PTA,
bandwidth from any operator other than the government, customers or whatever comes in
PTCL. The ISPs have been complaining to the their way to deception. By the way, PTCL is
PTA time and again against this monopolistic already in court and it would not be a surprise
and anti-competitive restriction that did not for us if they remain there for next lawsuit over
allow them to have redundancy and benefit of their current deed.
Image of minutes of the meeting between the ISPAK Moreover, there are cases of PTCL’s increase
competitive prices from alternate operator. (Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan) and the PTCL
The PTA, after a series of negotiations, has in tariffs prior to advertisements. The company
finally issued the minutes of the meeting held has violently misused the power entrusted to it
The total Internet bandwidth to the by the government of Pakistan and we think
between the ISPAK (Internet Service Providers
country stands at around 18 gigabytes, growing that it is time when we must held them
Association of Pakistan) and the PTCL on May
at around 45 per cent every year for the accountable for their misdeeds,
5, 2009 in which it was decided that the ISPs will
12 last three years. mismanagement and corruption.
be free to buy Internet bandwidth from third
Free download | flare.com.pk Usman Yaqoob Telepedia
Ufone was the first and last to offer collect call service. With
Ufone Collect Call one can remain connected and make
calls even when he or she does not wish to pay for a call if
and only if the other person chooses to pick up Collect Call
A
fter bringing call rates to the bottom important type of VAS, are those services that do
line, all telecom operators indulged in not stand-alone. Instead, this category adds value
introducing more and more Value to existing services. While it seems implicit in the
Added Services. A value added definition of value-added, this is an important
service (VAS) is: principle that makes value-added services stand
Not a form of basic service but rather adds apart from other services.
value total service offering; There is a variety of value added services
This Service is available to calls from Ufone to
Stands alone in terms of profitability and/or these are available with almost all cellular
Ufone only. A & B party must be Ufone
stimulates incremental demand for core operators. With every passing day, they are
subscribers.
service(s); ready to break any new VAS which can be made
Call will be charged to B party as per regular
Can sometimes stand alone operationally; successful only by popularity in public.
package plan.(If connected)
Does not cannibalise basic service unless Unfortunately, all VAS do not narrate a
All Post-Pay and Prepaid users can initiate
clearly favourable; successful story. Improper planning,
collect call request.(as A party)
Can be an add-on to basic service, and as such, misperception and false judgement often lead to
All Post-Pay & Prepaid users can receive
may be sold at a premium price; and unpopular VAS. One of such unsuccessful VAP
collect call request.(as B party)
May provide operational and/or administrative
A subscriber on international roaming will not
synergy between or among other services - not
merely for diversification.
Ufone Collect Call remained be able to initiate collect call request.
Every VAS will demonstrate one or more of fail in gaining expected If B party is on international roaming then
collect call request will not be sent to him.
the above characteristics. Furthermore, a value-
added service will never stand in stark contrast
popularity. Ufoners started to If B party’s outgoing calls are barred (Post-
to any of the above characteristics. irk their friends and strangers Pay) then A party will be informed accordingly
and collect call request will not be initiated.
VAS also has certain time dimension by making Collect Calls and Post-paid users will not be able to initiate
associated with them. Subjectively speaking, a
value added service becomes a basic service those who don’t know about Ufone Collect Call if their outgoing calls are
when it becomes sufficiently common place and the service become prey to barred.
Prepaid subs will be able to initiate a Collect
widely deployed to no longer provide
substantive differentiation on relative basis.
the facility Call request even if they have zero credit in their
account.
There are two types of VAS.
The Party initiating a collect call will be
First are those services that stand alone from is Ufone Collect Call.
charged Rs 0.05 + tax per request.
an operational perspective. These types of Ufone was the first and last to offer collect call
Interestingly, many people tried to make
services need not be coupled with other services, service. With Ufone Collect Call one can remain
Collect Calls to their friends and those who have
but they can be. Many non-voice services fall into connected and make calls even when he or she
some know how of the service rejected the
this category. They are often provided as an does not wish to pay for a call if the other person
facility. When subscribers are frequently using
optional service along with voice services, but chooses to pick up Collect Call. Despite of all that
Ushare to transfer credit between Ufoners then
they could be offered and used by themselves irritation which one caused to others by these
why this Collect Call? It is useless to trigger
without the voice service. For example, SMS Collect Calls, there is no need to send people
service that is practically useless. It is good to
could be offered and used as a service without missed calls as the receiving party pays for the
invest revenue in the promotion of those services
voice calling. call charges. It provided with the convenience of
these are user friendly.
14 The second, and arguably more numerous and calling even when one’s account balance does not
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T
PTCL should outsource their customer sup-
Pakistan Telecommunication Company layman knew that once energy of a battery gets port, call centre to a third party. Every one in their
Limited (PTCL), a Supreme Court bench exhausted, it needs recharging and the call centres has a different idea about every single
headed by Justice Khalilur Rehman department had become alive to the need of issue, so why don’t outsource it.
Ramday called for the appearance of Chief purchasing the generators so late at the cost of Humaira:
Technical Officer (CTO) Muhammad Nasrullah heavy troubles to the subscribers. The judge PTA can handle them but for that people need to
and the PTCL chief legal manager on May 18. remarked does this fact call for indulgence of this contact PTA. Companies which are in competi-
Justice Fakir Muhammad Khokhar was also bench court to look into the very privatisation of the tion, are doing better than PTCL. Remove the P
member. PTCL after which such situations have cropped from PTCL and they will be in deep trouble. Till
The bench looked with concern at the PTCL up. now, what they have enjoyed is just because of
slow attendance to the consumer’s sufferings.
Moreover, the delay in getting power generators The Court wanted the officers that P.
Ahtasham:
to keep batteries working round the clock to fend
off incessant line droppings was also questioned.
to take initiative measures to You PTCL, Ufone, PTA, PEMRA, NTC…. all are
The Court was hearing a human right overcome problems within shit.
Furrukh:
complaint emanated from a press column of this month but they requested I believe World Call should also be called in as
Irshad Ahmad Haqqani published some two
months ago grousing about the poor telephone more time for which the court they have failed to install electricity backup sys-
tems. Service vanishes at least on my connection.
service provided by the PTCL. felt reluctant. However, in Customer support has been pathetic and com-
Following the Court direction, Regional
General Manager Rasheed Ahmad and other order to appraise the situation plaint to PTA has not worked. Next step will be
get rid of them.
officials appeared and described to the court load fully, the court called for the Iqbal Yusuf:
shedding as basic reason for line droppings as the
batteries operating the system fail due to non- appearance of Chief I still have three numbers un-repaired from last
eight months, although applied for disconnection
supply of electricity. Technical Officer and after paying the PTCL dues four months before,
Lack of coordination between the departments
was told to the court another reason for the said Principal Law Officer of the but bill is coming regularly of line rent.
Jalpari:
problems. The GM said that WASA during roads PTCL. Thank God some people are here who can take
digging cuts off the telephone lines without notice against poor customer support. I am sick of
apprising the company in this regard. He said Justice Ramday asked the company why it was PTCL exchange staff when I call
they have recently gone in for the generators to taking money from the subscribers if it was unable management then they claim everything but
provide continuous supply of power to the to provide them the promised services. He said if nature can never be changed so exchange people
batteries. load shedding is affecting the service it is do what they want. They fix my line but left some
Justice Ramday took this statement very responsibility of the department to overcome it problem and ask management to solve them.
16 seriously in the context that more than a year had and not to let the subscribers suffer for that.
Free download | flare.com.pk Exclusive Flare Report
inister of State for Finance and Whilst seven new schemes have been
for us?
Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) 500 to Rs 250 per set on cell.
is likely to get Rs25 billion for the The duties unnecessarily
year 2009-10. imposed last year were removed or
According to the government’s at least reduced but this is not
estimates, expenditures in the sufficient as the telecom sector has
coming year will amount to Rs745 The government has allocated an amount of suffered a lot and the exemption is
billion.
The tax collection target is
Rs1128.508 million for the Public Sector not satisfactory. The imposition of
Rs0.20 tax per SMS (short message
likely to be set at between Rs1.380 Development Projects (PSDP) for 83 projects of service) also targets the growth of
and Rs1.390 trillion, with new the widely used service. The tax will
taxes and duties amounting to Information Technology and halt the usage of SMS on massive
around Rs100 billion. The existing
petroleum development levy may
Telecommunications Division (IT&TD) for the level. Unfortunately the imposition
of 20 paisa tax will not help Advisor
be replaced by a Carbon tax of Financial Year 2009-10 to Prime Minister on Interior on
halting terrorist activities
of land at Karachi and nationwide but it will surely make lives of many
Lahore for the miserable as government has ruined the most
establishment of IT Parks; popular medium of communication.
Rs38.571 million have
been allocated for Whilst seven new schemes
Replication of E-Office at
all divisions of the federal have been approved out of
government; Rs48.625 which Rs10 million have
million have been
allocated for Federal been allocated for High
Government Data Center
and Internal, Islamabad;
Performance Secure
Rs20 million have been Network at NTC; and Rs10
Islamabad: Advisor to Prime Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs Ms. Hina Rabbani
Khar presenting the national budget 2009-10 during National Assembly session at
earmarked for Online
Access to Statutory and
million have been allocated
Parliament House. Case Laws, Sindh. for Prime Minister Initiative
As far new IT schemes are concerned, Rs20
around Rs6 to 12 per litre on petroleum, oil and
lubricant products, likely to be imposed from July million have been allocated for strengthening of
for Video Conferencing
1, 2009. Pakistani IT industry on CMMI Phase-II, facility at the Federal
The government has allocated an amount of Islamabad.
Rs1128.508 million for the Public Sector For the Telecom Sector, Rs448.399 million have Secretariat and Provincial
Development Projects (PSDP) for 83 projects of been earmarked for eight ongoing schemes out of Headquarters
Information Technology and Telecommunications which Rs149.206 million have been allocated for
Division (IT&TD) for the Financial Year 2009-10. National ICT Scholarship Programme; Rs150 Let’s wait and watch how the budget for the
Out of the total amount, Rs680.109 million is million have been designated for Northern Areas fiscal year of 2009-10 will impact on the growth of
allocated for 53 ongoing and 15 new Information Terrestrial MW Link while Rs99.313 have been telecom and IT sector in particular and Pakistan in
Technology projects. The ongoing schemes earmarked for Interconnect Billing and Customer general.
include Rs107.052 million allocated for purchases Support System for the SCO. 17
Telepedia Flare Report Free download | flare.com.pk
ateen has signed an agreement with Tejari is a world-class Business-to-Business The agreement was signed by Muhammad
Lahore: Mr Aqib Zulfiqar, Chief Financial Officer, Wateen Telecom and Mr Shehzad Shabbir Dahar, Director Opera-
tions, Tejari Pakistan Ltd, sign the agreement.
18 Lahore: Mr Muhammad Aqib, Chief Financial Officer, Wateen Telecom shakes hand with Mr Shehzad Shabbir Dahar,
Director Operations, Tejari Pakistan Ltd.
Free download | flare.com.pk Flare Report Event
Upon registration, each family was provided with the essential items like; a tent, bedding, water buckets
and jerry cans, chatai, kitchen utensils including cooking pots, cutlery and crockery, daily food rations,
personal hygiene kits including towel, washing and laundry soaps, tooth paste and toothbrush, combs,
water cooler and mosquito nets, and summer clothing for women and children
ince the beginning of the Swat operation, sector of Pakistan. Within just one
city well you cannot figure out much from the map
• There is no way you can search near your
current location, no self-location detection
mechanism utilised (GPS or Cell tower location);
• No details, phone numbers, email, web-
I
was so excited to see UTrack on Ufone’s list of related items link or photo etc. available for the public
website that despite of high charges, I was came up. I selected one locations/businesses available in the search.
determined to avail the opportunity. of the items and I could • The names of the roads, places and
see its location on locations are hardly readable on the map.
UTrack maps are an XHTML based mobile somewhat nastily • Orange colour dominance on the map
website. I was expecting it to be an installable orange-themed rip-off (just because of Ufone colour) is really irritating.
application. Anyways, before I go in details of the from Google maps • No voice support (obviously being a web
application features, I must tell you a bit about images. That’s it! You page) for people using it as in-car navigation
the background. cannot do much more system.
If you try using the than that.
solution, you will,
almost instantly
The map that shows
up is well detailed but in Worst part of this VAS is the
notice that it is an small size, its irritating breakage. Make-a-route
integration with orange and green
Naqsha.net. Well, coloured, road and place option to your searched
Naqsha.net is one of
the serious efforts
names are hardly readable
and until you know the
destination, the link is
done so far in navigation domain in Pakistan, but city well you cannot broken. View large map, the
I must say, things are pretty pre-mature right
now at Naqsha.net. Moreover, integrating with
figure out much from the
map. That really kills the
link is broken. Search-
Ufone, they have tried to increase there user base need of navigation nearby the link is broken
which is a good sign. On the other hand, they anyways. I could see three
have not anticipated such big traffic loads options under the map: • Too costly.
especially during the first few days free trial time 1) View Larger Image
Worst part of this VAS is the breakage: make-
and their site seems broken at several points. 2) Make a route
a-route option to your searched destination, the
As soon as I got Ufone connection, I dived in 3) Search nearby
link is broken. Either view large maps or search-
and launched the device browser. The first link But all links were broken (actually application
nearby the link is broken. The unavailability or
on Ufone’s mobile site http://wap.ufone.com crashed or something happened due to heavy
the congestion makes the service a cellular mess.
was U-track maps. traffic.
It is deplorable to see that Ufone has once again
I opened it up, Following is the feature list and comments for
deceived its subscribers by not making the
selected the city and each feature:
advertisement clear. It is advised that Ufone
the only thing I could • Solution Type
must change its strategy of keeping users in dark
do on the page was Web-based mobile application/web-site, I
through mocking advertisements that tells little
“Search”. expected it to be a GPS-enabled or at least
I typed a search about the facility itself.
location aware installable application.
20 Courtesy: telecompk.net
string and quite a long • Search Places
Free download | flare.com.pk Flare Report Telepedia
No more
recorded at 9.54 million messages.
The festive season still remains a favourite high
traffic period for operators and consumers alike.
Compared to last year's traffic, this year the total
messaging traffic has grown by 40 per cent.
MMS traffic picking up pace across the region
with 9.5 million MMS messages processed during
bundle offers
this festive season. MMS traffic is bound to
increase as consumers become increasingly savvy
in interacting with their personal blogs sites and
applications.
Telecom operators are giving comparable rates of The festive season still
calls, SMS/MMS, and value added services. remains a favourite high
traffic period for operators
The average rate of SMS offered by the sector is
and consumers alike.
2paisa. How can government impose a tax of 20
Compared to last year's
paisa on single SMS…. You must be joking! traffic, this year the total
he government has come up with a very the interchange of short text messages between messaging traffic has
USF commemorates
WTD by contracts of
Rs 600 million
Federal Secretary for Information Technology,
Hifz-ur-Rehman congratulated PTCL and
Wateen Telecom on winning the bidding for
Rural Telecom and Optic Fibre and projects in CEO PTCL, Walid Irshaid and General Manager Wateen Telecom, Mazhar Qayyum Butt,
Balochistan and Larkana respectively signed the contracts with Chief Executive Officer, Universal Service Fund, Parvez
Iftikhar. Chairman PTA Mohammad Yasin was also present on the occasion.
T
which have a population of around 335,000.
Information Society Day (WTIS) 2009, Earlier, CEO of Universal Service Fund, Second project, he further informed, is to
Ministry of Information Technology held Parvez Iftikhar, while welcoming the audience, provide basic telephony and data services in
an event in Islamabad which was stated that this year’s WTIS Day is playing a unserved areas of Larkana and Shikarpur
attended by representatives of public sector, useful role in bringing together all the districts. 72 muzas with a population of 165,000
industry and academia. WTIS theme for this year stakeholders to take concrete steps for ensuring will benefit. Subsidy of Rs 228 million is being
is ‘Protecting children in cyberspace’. that children access Internet with safety. provided to PTCL for this project. Contract
Universal Service Fund also signed contracts He informed that two new projects of signing of the two projects was held at the end
for two more projects for providing ‘Optic Fibre Universal Service Fund are being awarded. One is with Wateen Telecom and PTCL. CEO PTCL,
Connectivity to un-served Tehsils in Balochistan’ to provide optic Fibre connectivity to five un- Walid Irshaid and General Manager Wateen
and ‘Telecom Services in Rural Larkana’. served Tehsils of Balochistan (Dasht, Noshki, Telecom, Mazhar Qayyum Butt, signed the
Giving his remarks, Federal Secretary for Dalbandin, Mashkhel and Taftan, touching also contracts with Chief Executive Officer, Universal
Information Technology, Hifz-ur-Rehman the cities of Dringar, Ahmadwal, Nokundi and Service Fund, Parvez Iftikhar. Dr Mohammad
congratulated PTCL and Wateen Telecom on Chaghi). He added that a subsidy of Rs 374 Yaseen, Chairman PTA and other high officials of
winning the bidding for Rural Telecom and Optic million is provided to Wateen Telecom for laying the Ministry of IT, PTA, telecom and IT industry
Fibre and projects in Balochistan and Larkana 900 kilometers of optic fibre cable to these Tehsils were present at the occasion.
to telecom operators
of Rule 12 of Access
Promotion Rules 2004
regarding the provision of
for violations
incorrect CDRs.
Subsequently, Authority
suspended its license for
not providing correct
After issuing show cause notice, PTA information
Authority.
to the
and failure of which may lead to cancellation of
immediately take action and suspend The PTA also passed an their licenses.
order to impose a fine to
International Incoming Traffic of Telecard the tune of Rs 1,000,000 to
It is interesting to see that PTA has issued
warnings and show cause notices to operators
and Dancom for not paying APC for USF Dancom for changing its but did not take strict action against the violators.
management without prior But this time PTA is not in a mood to spare those
akistan Telecommunication Authority intimation to the who remain failed to meet the commitment.
for
After issuing show cause notice, PTA
immediately take action and suspend
International Incoming Traffic of Telecard and
Dancom for not paying APC for USF. This
extreme decision was made by the authority to
Telecom Limited on November, 15, 2008 being management make sure that all operators are abide by the
found involved in concealment of international without regulations for APC with timely payments.
incoming telecom traffic and misrepresenting the prior A total of Rs 5.84 billion is outstanding
same as national traffic, says a report issued by approval of against LDI operators under the account of APC.
the PTA. the It merits mentioning here that as per APC Rules,
A large number of missing minutes Authority. 2004 all LDI operators are bound to pay APC for
manifested a huge loss to the foreign exchequer Five WLL USF on monthly basis with-in 90 days of each
on account of Access Promotion Contribution operators month.
(APC) for Universal Service Fund (USF) by the failed to establish at least one Network It is good to see that PTA is changing ritual of
licensee. The Authority has asked the licensee to Connection Point in each of their respective pending and delayed payments. Such actions
clear its position against the above mentioned regions as per the license condition and all of will not only regulate operators but also help in
violations otherwise it will proceed against it them were issued show cause notices for this recovering due payments.
under Section 23 of Pakistan Telecommunication failure. However, the licensees have been given
22 (Re-organization) Act 1996. eight weeks to complete their roll out obligations
Telepedia Basit Ali Free download | flare.com.pk
W
hether it is advertisement or some which might be a winning point for these
subsidiary, companies in Pakistan solutions. UTrack Maps
face tremendous competition. If Mobi Track is no doubt a bit expensive but it If you are new in town or are looking for the
one offers a discount of 20 paisa, his offers valued information. It provides one with place everyone’s
or her competitor will start to offer 23 paisa proper and detailed navigation. Ufone follows been talking about
subsidiary and the discount will go on until the naqsha.net but the website is based on incomplete let UTrack Maps
service become free of cost and companies will information and the zooming capacity is pathetic. guide you there. All
only receive installation or maintainace charges. The information which Ufone provides is you require is a
Yes, we have seen this happening in the telecom insufficient and not better than one’s personal GPRS enabled
sector of Pakistan where companies have cut their information of his or her premises handset along with
margin due to impressive penetration and strict GPRS settings to
competition. Mobi Track access UTrack
Recently, Mobilink and Ufone started to offer Have you ever been lost in an unfamiliar city? Maps.
navigation services. The following table gives an Have you ever wasted precious time reaching Simply go to http://wap.ufone.com (Can be
over view of what both of these operators are your destination as you didn't know the shortest browsed from Phone only) click on the UTrack
offering in case of tracking services. route? Do you find it annoying when you just Maps icon and it will direct you to the UTrack
don't know where the closest Maps page. Simply choose a city from Islamabad,
Now through Mobi Track search an ATM or Shopping Centre is when Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Faisalabad, Quetta
most needed? Mobilink - the
address, navigate through cities or nation's largest cellular network -
and start navigating at your own will.
In search bar, you can input Specific Street,
locate any place with your mobile proudly unveils, for the first time colony, road, area, school, market, airport or any
in Pakistan. Mobi Track a solution
handset. Discover real-time to all such dilemmas.
other popular place to locate. System will give you
back a list of results that you can view on map.
navigational assistance coupled with Welcome to the world of GPS For first two weeks, only standard GPRS rates
navigation, a solution that fits
the most sophisticated technology of right in your palm. Now through
will apply, however, later on, along with GPRS
charges while browsing the WAP site,
interactive maps and satellite tracking Mobi Track search an address, In case you click to view a location on
so that you are never lost again navigate through cities or locate
any place with your mobile
map, you will be charged Rs 1/click;
On clicking “View Route”, you will be
handset. Discover real-time charged another Rs 2/click;
At the moment Ufone has an edge on trial navigational assistance coupled with the most When you click on “Search” in the Search
period plus the ability to offer service for devices sophisticated technology of interactive maps and Nearby option, you will be charged another
which has GRPS (which covers most devices satellite tracking so that you are never lost again. Rs1click;
available in market); Mobilink has a short coming Simply SMS 'TEST' to 1000 to receive an SMS Additional Rs 1/click will be charged
of tying this to GPS based devices only which with a link. Download the link and run the
limits the usability.
Regarding pricing Ufone has click based model
while Mobilink might be offering (they does not
have it clearly mentioned though) subscription
based packages.
Ufone is a bit pricey but we cannot compare
yet because of Mobilink’s non clear pricing at the
moment. For Ufone searching a site then clicking
on it and zooming in would cost you Rs 3 (1 per
action) and if you wish to get a route you will pay
another Rs 2, for someone who wants to use this
occasionally this might make sense for some one
lost a lot more frequently this will cost a fortune.
Plus the fact that Google Latitude is available
free for any GPRS based device and it has not
maps for Pakistan. It remains to see how many application to enjoy the free five day trial. You when you click on “View larger image”; and
will use these services, but the fact remains that would require a GPRS and GPS enabled handset, All prices are exclusive of tax.
Google at the moment does not offer directions or a bluetooth GPS device to use Mobi Track.
24
Free download | flare.com.pk Flare Report Telepedia
special glasses.
Mobile3DTV is developing the core elements
of the next generation of three-dimensional
television for mobile devices. “One major
challenge is choosing the optimal format for
representing 3D video for mobile delivery,”
Gotchev points out.
The format should be adopted ideally by all
industrial players to avoid a ‘formats war’, he
suggests. For that reason, the project decided to
build its system around the EU standard known
as Digital Video Broadcasting – Handheld (DVB-
H).
“Another challenge is to ensure a comfortable
and enjoyable 3D viewing experience,” adds
Gotchev. Mobile3DTV is employing so-called
auto-stereoscopic displays, which produce 3D
images that do not require those awkward glasses
to view them – which is good news for people
who want to be incognito about their mobile
viewing.
“Auto-stereoscopic displays use additional
optical elements aligned on the surface of an
LCD, to ensure that the observer sees different
images with each eye,” explains Gotchev. “As
mobile devices are normally watched by a single
television market, as the whole idea of mobility is for how mobile 3D content should be created,
coded and transmitted over DVB-H in order to be
based on dynamism visualised on a portable display with satisfactory
quality for the user.
“We have access to probably the most
hree dimensional viewing has not yet Gotchev also points out that the viewing
T
advanced 3D portable display – one delivered by
made it in a big way onto our television conditions, and hence technical requirements, for the Japanese giant NEC LCD,” says Gotchev.
and cinema screens. According to mobile devices are not as exacting as they are for Mobile3DTV has already demonstrated these
European researchers, the story of 3D TV cinema, which targets a mass audience who technologies at a number of trade fairs.
is set to be quite different with mobile devices, as expect a thrilling experience, and television, • The market dimension
the right standards and technology fall into place. which needs to be of ‘home entertainment’ Content is, as it has long been, the major
Simulating the third dimension is something quality. “In Mobile 3D technology, the viewing obstacle on the road to the widespread take-up of
of a Holy Grail for cinema and television. The key mode is personal, the required display size is 3D mobile TV. “A major market challenge is to
advantage of 3D film over the conventional two small and the user is expected to adjust the convince content providers and operators to start
dimensions is the illusion of depth and the sense display position for the best viewing experience,” producing and distributing 3D content,” observes
of ‘body’ the viewer experiences – as if the action he notes. Gotchev.
is leaping out of the screen rather than occurring “With our project, we try to provide the
within it. As early as 2003, Sharp necessary technical evidence of the technology’s
Despite the images it evokes of high-tech
wizardry, rudimentary 3D technologies have launched a 3D mobile potential.”
And their efforts are paying off. Gotchev is
been around practically since the dawn of
filmmaking. The first ever attempt came in 1890,
phone in Japan and Korea’s quietly confident that the Mobile3DTV project
when the British film pioneer William Friese- SK Telecom launched a 3D can help prod the rollout of 3D television in the
mobile market.
Greene invented a process in which two films
were projected side by side on screen, and the phone – from Samsung – in “Just one year ago, operators and providers
did not really buy into the market benefits of
viewer looked through a stereoscope to converge 2007, and Japan’s Hitachi producing and broadcasting stereo-video, largely
the two images.
We’ve come a long way since this bulky and just launched one in 2009 because of the slow take off of the mobile TV
services in some European countries,” he says.
impractical solution, yet 3D film and television is “The situation now seems to be changing as the
still some way from becoming an everyday • Glasses not necessary
same players are looking for new opportunities,
reality, partly due to cost. But that looks set to The story of 3D television for mobile phones
and 3D looks like just such an opportunity.”
change, and mobile devices – with simpler and has been one punctuated by stops and starts. As
In addition, the take-off of 3D for mobiles
hence cheaper 3D technology – could well lead early as 2003, Sharp launched a 3D mobile phone
could accelerate the take-up of other 3D
the charge. in Japan and Korea’s SK Telecom launched a 3D
technologies. “The rapidly-evolving mobile TV
“The mobile market has always been much phone – from Samsung – in 2007, and Japan’s
market could serve as a ‘bandwagon’ for
more dynamic and receptive to new technologies Hitachi just launched one in 2009. But the big
introducing 3D TV broadcast to the general
than the television market, as the whole idea of challenges have been the paucity of content and
public,” emphasises Gotchev.
mobility is based on dynamism,” explains Atanas coming up with a profitable business model.
Mobile3DTV is funded under the ICT strand of
Gotchev, the scientific coordinator of the EU- Apple’s iPhone also supports three-dimensional
the EU’s Framework Programme for research. 25
funded Mobile3DTV project. television, but can currently only be viewed with
Telepedia Farooq Malik Free download | flare.com.pk
large number of Internally Displaced to transfer back society share which has been Considering the noble cause of this exercise
Bank Alfalah's team organises relief camp, monitors and sends trucks loaded with a variety of goods for the relief of IDPs.
Mr Talib Rizvi, Group Head Priority Banking & Wealth Group photograph of Mr Talib Rizvi, Group Head Officers of Bank Alfalah Limited unloading the trucks
Management, distributs bags among IDPs. Priority Banking & Wealth Management, with staff for IDPs.
members of Bank Alfalah. 29
Flare Report Exclusive Free download | flare.com.pk
Henri Mattila, Head of Category Marketing, Nseries Middle East and Africa, Finnish Deputy Head of Mission, H.E Miia Rainne and Imran Khalid
Mahmood, GM Nokia Pakistan showing the Nokia N97 at the launch ceremony.
A
while Ministry on 3G Licensing Policy also held concludes that WiMAX will have a significant
Committee on Information Technology briefing. role to play in the evolution of mobile networks.
and Telecommunications took a strong The committee was briefed about the non- A survey of manufacturers and network
notice of the violation of its directions development budget and the Public Sector operators indicates that they are making plans to
by the relevant ministry for non-submission of 3G Development Programmes (PSDP) for 2009-10. In incorporate 4G technology as a value-adding
policy before the committee. its briefing, the Ministry did not provide the adjunct to existing mobile infrastructure and
The Ministry was strongly recommended by details of the projects, which the committee said services.
the Standing Committee in its last meeting to lay they should have provided with statistical data.
Broadband proliferation in
Mobile subscribers are 91.44
million as of March 2009. In fact,
Pakistan
Pakistan has the highest mobile
penetration rate in the region
road band internet access, often broadband.
deflation a serious problem in the US and citied inflation as a bigger worry, as government to a bubble there is going to be a day of
Europe, Allen contends. stimulus money allows consumers and reckoning, and this is exactly what is happening
Mauro F. Guillén, Professor of international businesses to bid up prices. While the Fed has now.” The federal government is battling
management at Wharton, expects deflation to made clear its willingness to reverse monetary deflationary trends by keeping interest rates
spread, but does not think it will be serious. policy when conditions warrant, political low and pouring money into the economy to
Most price declines have been mild, he notes, realities can get in the way when inflation encourage consumers and businesses to spend.
and the huge levels of government spending in fighting requires higher interest rates, says While Guillén believes this will work
the US and elsewhere should eventually trigger eventually, a quick turn around is hard to
enough demand to drive prices up. The US government is accomplish.
Situation: ‘Weird’ “Right now, in the short
Some surveys show that economists expect
the consumer price indexes to fall in the next battling deflationary trends term, the situation is very weird,” he observed,
few months, on a year over-year basis, in the by keeping interest rate noting that individuals and businesses prefer to
United States, United Kingdom, euro zone and use extra cash to pay down debt rather than to
Japan. slow and pouring money spend. Worried that potential borrowers are too
But in a May 11 speech, Federal Reserve
Chairman Ben Bernanke said the deflation
into the economy. For the risky, banks have been hoarding governments
tumulus money rather than lending it, as the
threat is “receding,” though he added that it still Federal Reserve, adjusting government intends. “If you don’t lend it — if
bears watching.
The Vicious Cycle Falling prices can be good,
interest rates is a very, very they keep it — then it doesn’t generate more
demand.”
up to a point. But when prices fall across the hard balancing act For the Federal Reserve, adjusting interest
board, businesses and consumers postpone rates is “a very, very hard balancing act,”
purchases because they expect lower prices Wharton finance professor Richard J. Herring. Guillén says, as making money too easy to get
later, or worry their incomes will decline or “When it is time to tighten again, can spark a burst of inflation. In that case, the
don’t want to acquire assets that will fall in unemployment will almost certainly still be Fed would likely raise interest rates though
value. Shrinking demand forces sellers to cut rising,” he says. raising them too much closes the spigot on
prices further, triggering a vicious cycle. “If the Fed tightens at the appropriate time, it money the economy needs to grow.
will meet fierce resistance from Congress and “We don’t like the current situation, which is
borrowers.” The worst case would be a repeat deflation plus recession,” Guillén says. “We
of the overly long low-rate policy earlier in the
decade, as the US was recovering from the
dot.com bubble, Herring warns. The “political
asymmetry” — the political preference for low
rates over high ones—“is part of the reason we
got in to this mess.” The best situation,
according to Guillén, is a low level of inflation
rather than none at all. “The ideal rate would be
one consistent with sustained economic
growth,” he says.
The best inflation level depends on the
“It feeds on itself and it’s very hard to stop economy’s growth rate, but the 3 per cent to 5
once it gets going,” saysPack. per cent range is generally healthy, he estimates. would like to change recession into economic
Deflation is especially devastating to “In order to grow, you need to be aware of growth, and we would like to change deflation
borrowers, because their incomes may shrink which new products or services are in high into mild inflation that will sustain economic
while their debts do not. The collapse of US growth.” Worried about deflation after the
home prices is a prime example, leaving dot.com bubble burst early in the decade, the
millions of home owners owing more than their Fed kept interest rates low in 2003, 2004 and
properties are worth. Unable to sell their homes 2005, recalls Richard Marston, professor of
for enough to pay off their debts, homeowners finance and economics at Wharton. He argues
who lose their jobs cannot move to get new this was an over reaction based on a mistaken
ones. belief that an economic slowdown was driving
Though deflation was devastating in the prices down in a traditional deflationary
Depression and became a serious problem in pattern, while the real cause was cheap imports
Japan in the 1990s, Pack says the threat to the US from countries like China.
and other developed economies has diminished Keeping rates too low for too long fed the
because manufacturing and agriculture have housing boom, leading to the financial crisis,
smaller roles in the economy than they once did. Marston says.
“Manufacturing ac counts for a relatively small Now, government efforts to pour money into
percentage of expenditures in the US now,” he demand—and the symptom of high demand is the economy should prime the pump for
says. rising prices.” The mechanism helps an recovery, he adds, predicting that any
Instead, the economy is dominated by economy distribute its capital efficiently, as deflationary period will be very moderate.
service industries, and wages constitute their products and services with rising prices draw “I believe it’s going to be the consumer that
biggest expense, he adds, arguing it is harder for investment dollars away from those whose leads us out of recession,” Marston says. “Most
employers to cut wages than for manufacturers prices are falling, he notes. American families have cut back on spending, but
to cut prices. Up to a point, consumers and businesses not all of us have done it because our income has
Blume adds that one cause of the Depression benefit from rising asset prices. Homeowners, fallen,” he says, pointing instead to consumers’
was mismanagement of the Gold standard, for example, can use home equity loans for worries about the future.
which governed currency values. The gold spending money. People who do have healthy incomes will
standard was abandoned long ago. Other “That is going to stimulate consumption and loosen their purse strings as they start seeing
experts say government stimulus efforts should contribute to economic growth,” Guillén says. signs of recovery which are already becoming
keep deflation at bay. Bernanke, they note, Of course, that can go too far, he notes. The apparent Marston believes. “They will start going
studied the Depression extensively as an house price bubble of a few years ago gave out to restaurants again. They will start buying
academic, and appears willing to do just about homeowners plenty of spending money but clothes again, and they will start buying cars
anything to keep deflation from taking hold. came back to haunt them when the bubble burst. again.... I’m definitely getting more optimistic.”
Indeed, a number of experts interviewed “Asset price inflation is okay, but if it turns in Khaleej Times
37
InsighT Salim Ghauri Free download | flare.com.pk
of IT revolution
There is also a need of implementing the
concept of Computer Emergency Response
Team (CERT) in Pakistan as early as possible.
The IT companies should adopt standardisation
Only 179 IT companies are so far registered with the to win the trust of buyers. The Pakistan Telecom
Authority (PTA) should also ensure security of
SBP and their export volume show only a meager infrastructure through enforcing SLA for PTCL
P
extended to all such companies, to the extent of
information technology (IT) revolution.
their reported export revenue, as a
If we do not invest on automation of
complete picture of industry’s
Pakistan, we may go back to the Dark
revenues would be in a better
Age. The upcoming budget must reflect this
critical situation of the country in order to ensure positioning of IT industry in the eyes
an early entry to the electronic age. of government as well as general
The IT exports of Pakistan have reached to public.
half a billion dollar and number of highly skilled The IT sector of Pakistan has
human resource is very impressive in the sector registered 30 per cent growth in
but still it needs from the government to do revenue in a very short span of time
more. Pakistan, with a population of 170 million, and this growth pattern can easily be
60 per cent of which consists of under-25, is an doubled by simply reviewing our
ideal country where IT sector can spearhead the priority list.
economy in the days to come. This growth in revenues has
Pakistan is also among few countries in the enabled the industry to hire high-
world where general sales tax is imposed on skilled IT professionals and thus
computer hardware. The IT industry is the most contributed to the national
important segment of Pakistan economy and it economy in a big way.
will earn precious foreign exchange for the The trained human resource the IT
country in the years to come. sector has, more Pakistan’s economy
The tax holiday for IT sector is expiring in will flourish and prosperity will
2016 and any failure in its extension for another
sustain on longer terms.
10 years would cripple the industry from
(Source: Pakistan Software Export Board)
generating hundreds and thousands of jobs in
The government of Pakistan has already (The writer is Chairman Federal Task Force
the years to come. We have already seen that a
formed a Task Force on Information & on Information and Communication
good number of IT companies had shifted their
businesses from tax-burdened regimes to tax Communication Technologies (ICT) to place Technologies, Honorary Consul of Australia for
free regimes in the past. The government of Pakistan as a major player in software exports. the province of Punjab and Chairman & CEO of
38 Pakistan needs to move fast on this front. Other objectives include the development of NetSol Technologies Ltd)
Free download | flare.com.pk Flare Report Telepedia
C
hairman, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Dr
organisations, which are in or equivalent to Mohammed Yaseen has said that to achieve cost efficiency in the
operations, telecom operators need to enhance their collaboration
BS-21 and BS-22 by sharing infrastructure. They can save costs and yet maintain
quality. He said this while addressing at Nokia Siemens Networks Industry
The Cabinet Division has allowed officials in the BS-20 and below to
use mobile phones at government expense, with some allowed the facility of Seminar.
roaming, official sources told. Under the new policy, circulated to all The Chairman said that PTA took initiative to pursue mobile operators
ministries/divisions, the facility of roaming mobile telephones has been for sharing of infrastructure to reduce BTS towers and other sites so that
extended to secretaries, additional secretaries, head of attached departments costs of business can be brought down. He emphasised on the importance
and autonomous organisations, which are in or equivalent to BS-21 and BS- of broadband proliferation to achieve goal of setting up 'Information
22. Society. He said that massive
The policy clearly indicates use of tax money to facilitate the bureaucrats awareness campaign is needed to be
and senior government officials at public expense. These officials would be launched to improve broadband
permitted to use unlimited landline ceiling and Rs1000 mobile phone ceiling. growth besides developing contents
The revised phone policy and revised office ceiling on landline are effective in local languages and applications.
from May 11, 2009 subject to observance of the following conditions: He said PTA has made co-
For the joint secretaries (BS-20) or equivalent in the ministries/divisions
ordinated efforts to facilitate
and director generals in the Foreign Affairs Ministry, office phone ceiling on
broadband growth by forming a
landline number is unlimited per month; Rs1000 per month for mobile phone
"Broadband Stakeholders Group" and
ceiling.
For deputy secretaries (BS-19) or equivalent in the ministries/divisions other measures. He said that we are
and directors in the Foreign Affairs Ministry: Rs8221 plus line rent for the trying to develop contents for
office phone ceiling on landline number per month; Rs800 per month for different market segments like
mobile phone ceiling, while Rs7421 plus line rent for revised office phone agriculture. Similarly, PTA was
ceiling on landline number. negotiating with State Bank to
Similarly for Section Officer introduce Mobile Banking Services.
(BS-17-18) or equivalent in the He said that three operators are Chairman PTA,
ministries/divisions and Dr Mohammad Yaseen
in the process of launching mobile
assistant directors /deputy broadband. Two operators have launched E-Video services. This all will
directors in the Foreign Affairs help in provisioning of better information services to consumers on one
Ministry: Rs6711 plus line rent for hand and increased revenues for the industry on the other.
the office phone ceiling on
Dr Mohammed Yaseen said that in 2008 there was a slight slow down
landline number per month:
in telecom industry but in quarters of 2009 the industry has again started
Rs500 per month for mobile
getting momentum. Average Revenue per User (ARPU) in mobile sector
phone ceiling, while Rs6211 plus
line rent for revised office phone was recorded at USD2.5 to
ceiling on landline number. USD3 per user which is a
According to the revised policy, all entitled officers of Foreign Affairs and positive sign. Chairman
other ministries, posted in Pakistan missions abroad, are authorised 20 per said that PTA has
cent of combined ceiling (office and residential telephone) for use of mobile recommended tax
phone. Similarly, the roaming facility of mobile telephone has been extended reduction on telecom
to secretaries, additional secretaries, heads of attached department and products to FBR and it
autonomous organisations who are in or equivalent to BS-21 and BS-22. was hoping positive
It is mentioned in the policy that excess expenditure beyond ceiling on response on it in upcoming budget.
roaming mobile phone up to 25 per cent will be condoned by the concerned On this occasion Saad Waraich, Pakistan and Afghanistan Country
Principal Accounting Officer (PAO). The excess expenditure up to 50 per cent Director for Nokia Siemens Networks, said, "Service Providers need
will be condoned by the Cabinet Secretary on the recommendations of the
network efficiency to better face the current market challenges. To improve
concerned PAO.
operational efficiency, we focus on five approaches, analyse the customer
It is also clarified in the policy that only posted billing would be
admissible for use of mobile telephone. The facility allowed to the officers in situation, optimise business process, modernise existing assets, expand fast
BS-20 and below will also be subject to the condition that the officers will and flexibly, and maximise the growth opportunity."
arrange the equipment (mobile phone set) on their own. In the policy, it is
said that the officers will be allowed to have connection to any mobile
company they choose.
42
Telepedia Flare Report Free download | flare.com.pk
Unitech-Telenor
by Telenor to Unitech's wireless
arm and it already owns 49 per cent
stake in Unitech Wireless. Unitech
hopes to start services by the end of
deal halted by
the year from one of the states in
south India.
This is not the first time that the
government has raised the issue.
Govt of India
Russian telecom company ByCell's
India plans were nixed after FIPB
withdrew permission given to its
investments. Home Ministry and
Finance Ministry had asked FIPB to
Sources suggested that more time reconsider the application after
could have been sought by the Home concerns on the source of funds for
the company.
Ministry to study the proposal since National Security Advisor had
Telenor operates in Pakistan and earlier questioned Orascom holding
a stake in Hutch, which was bought
elenor's investment into Unitech's Bangladesh over by Vodafone two years ago.
TalkShawk looting
Activation charges: The offer will be visible in feature 2 of
Charges Rs49+tax Bonus Feature in ChrissXpress.
(Rs59.29) Discounted tariff is only applicable to
Yes, activation Telenor FnF and all other Telenor numbers.
in disguise
charges are high - so it is All calls starting before 5pm and
continuing after 5pm
will continue to be
charged at discounted
t is becoming quite regular now that cellular
I
rates.
companies come up with hidden packages. Only calls
This is done mainly to offer (very) attractive starting at or after 1pm
package to limited customers - can be for will be charged on
specific school, area, industry and so on. discounted rates, if call
Telenor TalkShawk 30 second Discount starts before 1pm
Package is one of such packages which can be standard charges will
extra treated for many subscribers - especially for applicable.
those who make long calls during day time. Limited time
Following are the details: This package is only offer for Talkshawk 30
for Talkshawk 30 second subscribers - with this Sec subscribers.
promo customers can talk at discounted rates for Service will be
as low as 22 paisa per 30 second (friends and deactivated if package
family numbers) and as low as 37 paisa per 30 plan changes.
second to all Telenor numbers. Validity and
By the way, when we asked Telenor’s CSR (via confiscation
helpline) about why this package is not updated Validity of each
on website, the representative said that these subscription is 7 days.
bundle services are not advertised on website, as good only if you make long duration and greater On change of package plan the service
part of policy, however, subscribers can check amount of calls. will be deactivated.
helpline for such packages. How to Subscribe: Dial 555, press 6, press 1 Customer can re-subscribe to the service
Eligibility criteria: Must be a Talkshawk 30 sec (feature is called “Call Discount” on IVR. once the first subscription ends.
subscriber Remember If validity of main prepaid account
Offer: 50 per cent discount on all calls to Telenor Discount timings are between 1pm to expires customer will not be able to make calls
numbers (friends and family or others) 5pm. unless account is recharged.
Discount timing: 1pm to 5pm Only Talkshawk 30 second subscribers If balance of main prepaid account goes
On-net (Telenor to Telenor): Rs0.46 (inclusive of can activate the offer. to zero customer will not be able to make calls
tax) Each subscription has a validity of seven unless account is recharged.
44 On-net FnF: Rs0.28 (inclusive of tax) days from day of subscription.
Free download | flare.com.pk Flare Report Event
Bank Alfalah recently named its guest houses as Bagh. CEO Abu Dhabi Group, Mr Bashir A. Tahir inau-
gurated the Bagh, chain of Bank Alfalah guest houses, in Lahore which is decorated by Ismat Majid,
Consultant Interior, Designing and Administration, Bagh, Bank Alfalah
agh, the Bank Alfalah guest houses, is the expressed his reverend views on the inauguration make as much effort as possible. We have taken
Lahore: CEO Abu Dhabi Group, Mr Bashir A. Tahir cuts the ribbon of Bagh, Lahore: CEO Abu Dhabi Group, Mr Bashir A. Tahir expresses his views at the
the Bank Alfalah guest houses. Co Chairman, Central Management Commit- inauguration ceremony of Bagh.
tee, Mr Parvaz A. Shahid and Head of Marketing, Bank Alfalah, Hamid M.
Mirza stands besides. 45
Exclusive Hassan Abbas Free download | flare.com.pk
IDPs’ plight?
The devastating impact of suicide bombing
around the country has created widespread fear
and insecurity. On average, in 2008 Pakistan
experienced one suicide bombing every five days:
They have lost their homes, now their children are prey
of a number of diseases. Who will protect them? How will
they survive? Who will come to rescue them? Where will
they live? How will they re-built their homes? Who will
answer their questioning eyes?
and daily use items is very important, but at the government of Pakistan. It has triggered an
same time preventive and curative healthcare operation in Swat, Dir, Malkand, Bunair without
The girls hold their ration of bread and potato curry at a systems as well as medical facilities need to be having any safeguards to protect the local people.
UNHCR camp in the outskirts of Peshawar.
made available without delay. These Pakistanis are terribly suffering within
66 attacks in all which killed around 965 persons
and/or without camps and government is able to
(651 civilians, 159 security forces personnel, and 155
provide basic necessity to a very few number. The
policemen). Despite of all that which citizens are
refugees are not only suffering from lack of
suffering, the worst part of the whole operation is
residence but also from a number of diseases and
the settlement of refugees from war inflicted areas.
circumstantial troubles. If government is not able to
The internally displaced persons’ (IDPs) settlement
and rehabilitation is the most important part of
Pakistan’s battle against extremism.
48
Free download | flare.com.pk Cover Story
owadays electronic crimes are as President Asif Ali Zardari promulgated the were used extensively by Pakistanis inside the
arrested without warrant for a non-bailable retain its traffic data for a period of 90 days or
offence. His computer and all information and Law had been drafted more and make it available to investigating
data can be seized by FIA without warrant. Later,
at the police station, his computer can be ‘infected’
without consulting the agencies when required. "This gives the
authorities control over internet users' data and
by a dishonest IO with various other ‘cyber stakeholders and does little our organisation fears that this provision could be
terroristic’ emails. There is no protection in the
law currently against such ‘fabricated’ electronic
good to the industry. It does abused," RSF said.
Moreover, IT and internet industry of the
evidence. It can be years before Mr. Ali is released not adhere to the principles country has expressed deep reservations on
on bail. Prevention of Electronic Crimes Ordinance
Coso is a data operations company with or definitions of Cyber (PECO), 2007 terming it draconian and oppressive
multiple servers in a data center, which also Crime Convention law that could plunge the country’s computer, IT
include the data servers of a bank. Coso’s network and telecom industry into dark ages.
was hacked, enabling access to the banks’ data (Budapest, 2001) which has PECO was promulgated as an Ordinance by
servers and transferring millions of dollars to a
fake account. In the morning, FIA can: raid
been signed by 42 countries the Musharraf Government in 2007 and moved to
the floor of National Assembly in 2008 for its
without warrant, arrest the CEO, CTO and other promulgation as a Bill. The Standing Committee
deemed by the government to be acting against
officers, seal and/or remove all data servers on IT and Telecom, headed by MNA, Ch.
the 'integrity of Pakistan' or having terroristic
(grinding to a halt the operations of other Muhammad Barjees Tahir, has formed a Sub
intent,” says Asif Bhatti, a software engineer
corporate who also have data servers at Coso). Committee headed by MNA Justice (R) Fakhar un
based in Lahore. Bhatti pointed out that the law
ALL data, business information, confidential Nisa Khokher to review and revise the Ordinance
contains words like ‘lewd’, ‘obscene’ and
information, etc. will become exposed to the IOs. after a dialogue with the industry stakeholders.
‘immoral’ which are not legal terms, and are
There is no assurance under the law: that the Internet Service Providers Association of
highly subjective. This gives the prosecuting
business information of other companies will not Pakistan (ISPAK) in a letter to Justice (R) Fakhar
authorities a chance to use their discretion and
be compromised, the equipment and data in the un Nisa Khokher termed the whole text of the Bill
declare anything immoral or obscene, he added.
data servers will not be damaged. Which
company will want to do business in this
environment? No. 2(3)/2007-ISPAK 1996 and Electronic Transaction Ordinance
Mr Hifz-ur-Rehman 2002. IT industry has not forgotten the famous
Secretary case of Faisal Chohan vs. PTA/FIA, December
Ministry of IT 2006, where an innocent CEO of an IT
Government of Pakistan company was arrested on false charges and
Islamabad forced to spend precious days of his life in
prison.
Subject: Industry Reservations on We’ve previously written to the then
Prevention of Electronic Crimes Ordinance, Minister for IT on this issue but no action was
2007 taken by the Ministry to address the concerns
of the industry on this defective Bill. Copy of
Dear Sir, our previous letter and recent comments and
analysis on the Bill are enclosed.
We’ve learnt from media reports that Ministry of IT has a mandate to promote
Standing Committee of National Assembly is and protect the interest of the IT and telecom
currently debating the Prevention of industry but it seems that the Ministry itself is
Electronic Crimes Ordinance 2007 soon to be spearheading an effort to plunge the industry
passed from the Parliament in the form of a into dark ages.
Bill. We therefore request you to kindly look
Najma is a poor IT student. She belongs to a IT and telecom industry of the country has into our comments and withdraw this Bill
non-influential family and is given a ‘source code serious reservations as this Ordinance was from the Parliament so that it could be
piece’ by a friend who had stolen it from drafted without taking industry stakeholders debated in experts’ forums and a revised
University’s archives. Najma incorporates it in her into confidence. If enacted, this statue would draft, if at all required, is submitted for
software programme for her thesis, and markets become one of most repressive laws ever approval and enactment.
her programme. She can be charged with passed in the history of this country and
“Unauthorised Access to Code”, and can be would give enormous powers to trigger Yours sincerely,
arrested with warrant. Her computer and all happy government functionaries to harass,
information and data can be seized by FIA. arrest and prosecute anyone at their will. Wahaj us Siraj
Jehan Ara, president of Pakistan Software What we’re particularly worried that Convener
Houses' Association, told that the law had been prime victim of this Bill would be IT/telecom
drafted without consulting the stakeholders and professionals who in the past have been C.C. Ch. Muhammad Barjees Tahir,
does little good to the industry. She says the law harassed and even arrested under the Chairman, Standing Committee on IT and
does not adhere to the principles or definitions of fabricated charges in garb of Pakistan Telecom, National Assembly Secretariat,
Cyber Crime Convention (Budapest, 2001) which Telecommunication (Re-organisation) Act, Islamabad.
has been signed by 42 countries.
She said Pakistan could have signed the as fractious that was drafted by concerned
The Paris-based Reporters Without Borders
Budapest convention instead of coming out with Ministry, i.e., Ministry of IT, without consultation
(RSF) has also condemned the ordinance. In a
an ordinance which is full of errors, ambiguities of the industry and included ridiculous clauses.
letter written to Pakistan's ministry of information
and socio-cultural influences. The law, she says, The industry believes that the Bill, if promulgated
and technology, the media watchdog says: "This
allows investigating officers to take control of by the Parliament in its present form, would give
law prevents any blogger from posting photos or
computer networks and data without any chain sweeping powers to the law enforcement agencies
video showing persons who have not given their
of custody. This means the data under the control to apprehend and prosecute anybody without
consent... Pakistan has understood its right to give
of the investigators can be corrupted, deleted or solid evidence. The industry fears that prime
itself a law for fighting cyber crime, but it is vital
amended by them. In short, no provision is made victim of this law would be innocent computer
that this law should not obstruct freedom of
to preserve the integrity of the data involved. and IT professionals by the hands of trigger
information."
“The law gives officers of the Federal happy government functionaries.
The organisation also condemns the clause
Investigation Authority (FIA) full powers to Justice (R) Fakhar un Nisa Khokher, when
under which a service provider is required to
50 confiscate equipment and arrest anyone who is contacted by Mr Zubair A. Kasuri, told that she
Free download | flare.com.pk Cover Story
has received industry reservations on the draft Budapest Convention of 2001 such as frauds, theft, blackmailing, forgery, and
and her committee is working on to amend certain · Grave Risk to Citizen’s liberties embezzlement using the online medium. The law
clauses of the draft Bill in light of the feedback. · Sweeping Investigatory Powers should be limited to new offences against the
The industry however, believes that the draft · There is no requirement for mandatory confidentiality, integrity and availability of
needs a complete overhaul and should be grounds being given for obtaining a search computer systems and data only. Actually,
completely rewritten after taking into account and seizure warrant sophisticated IT equipment and technical
laws of other countries and international best · Impossible to verify or challenge the grounds training programmes are required for the
practices. “If Government is serious in promoting · The law should provide for written grounds investigation agencies more than a long list of
the IT and telecom in the country, it must stating: information received being the basis new offences.
withdraw the Bill from the floor of National for the application for the warrant
Assembly and start a consultation process with
industry stakeholders to prepare a new and
revised draft if at all required”, said spokesman of
The Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has
ISPAK while talking to Flare. also condemned the ordinance. In a letter written to
Pakistan's ministry of information and technology, the
media watchdog says: "This law prevents any blogger
from posting photos or video showing persons who have
not given their consent... Pakistan has understood its right
to give itself a law for fighting cyber crime, but it is vital
that this law should not obstruct freedom of information
· Scope of search – limiting it to relevant content
or system The proponents of this law need to explain to
· Method of search, leaving the larger the Parliament why, in the presence of the
operations intact current laws, are all these proposed offences
· It is not sufficient to leave these to delegated required. Sweeping statements such as this law
legislation such as “Police Rules” because is supported by 99 per cent of the persons
these are made by the Executive and are interviewed do not address the critical issue that:
screened from Parliamentary scrutiny without building substantive and procedural
The concerned Ministry, i.e., Ministry of IT · Sweeping Investigatory Powers protections for the accused; without ensuring
(MOIT) has however been silent on the issue for · The search and seizure can take place at any
last many months. The MOIT has yet to get the time and anywhere on any number of IT
attention of PPP led Government as no Minister systems, irrespective of whether they also
of IT has been appointed to head MOIT which has carry the data of non-related persons
been a priority economic ministry throughout · Copies can be made without any chain of
eight years of Musharraf regime. IT industry is custody and cause serious threat to large
particularly bitter of the Ordinance as according corporations. Sensitive business and trade
to them, PTA and FIA used similar laws information will fall in the hands of IOs
(Electronic Transaction Ordinance, 2002 and without assurance of confidential treatment
Telecom Act, 1996) in recent past to put innocent · An Accused has no legal guarantees that the
IT professional behind the bars in fabricated cases computers taken into custody will not later be
of electronic crimes. implanted with fabricated or false evidence,
computers will not be damaged and data in
the computers will not be lost or damaged. integrity of investigations; without ensuring
Shortcomings integrity, confidentiality and safety of the
· The Computers Systems as a whole can be
seized. Regardless of these being vital for the systems and data seized by FIA; without
· Serious potential of political or personal
operations of a University, Company, Bank, Parliament’s scrutiny of the investigation
victimisation
ISP, etc. procedures; without careful review by the
· Wide ranging, unbridled investigatory
· Collapse of all operations just for the sake of country’s leading criminal lawyers under the
powers, search and seizure of personal and
corporate data search of potential evidence for some aegis of the Parliament’s sub-committee; the
· Can take years to prove ‘innocence’ (no ‘suspected’ crime. potential for abuse, injustice, violation of
intention to commit the offences) · Contrary to international best practices fundamental civil liberties, victimisation of
· Discourages IT investment · The accused / owner of the computer system opponents and underprivileged sections of the
· Obstructions and nuisances for IT enabled is given no rights under PECO: to retain a society and detriment to investment and research
businesses and individuals verified copy of the data/hard disk (protection in the IT industry is much greater than the
· Legally and technically inaccurate concepts against implanted evidence); for protection of potential harm this law is supposed to avert.
· Does not represent international best practices its Intellectual Property; for security, It is worth noticing that the Ordinance is
· Definitional Nightmare confidentiality and integrity of its data and for designed to minimise and handle the electronic
· 4 pages of definitions for about 20 offences destruction of data after investigation is
crimes, but it can encompass a majority of
· Requires experienced legislative drafting completed.
innocent people that can be victimised under the
· Casts a very wide net (broadly drafted ISPPAK claim it is myth that all other
law and will be provided with no chance to
offences) countries have passed the same laws. PECO is
justify their position.
· Needless replication of offences already much more sweeping in its language. Most
Government of Pakistan must rectify the
covered under other laws developed jurisdictions have a robust judicial
Ordinance initiated by a dictator to facilitate the
· The definitions are prolix and inaccurate, for system for accountability of investigation
nationals and to make the law more effective. The
example, a ‘microwave oven’, an ‘electric agencies. There must be some distinction
amendments must be made by keeping
shaver’ or even an ‘electronic toy’ fall within between the emergence of new types of crime
in mind the IT industry which is creating
the scope of this law as ‘electronic device’ or versus commission of traditional crimes by
heavy revenue for the country.
an ‘electronic system’ means of new technologies while some of the
· Mature legal systems restrict these to crimes may be new, the others are simply Although Musharraf regime took the decision
‘computer systems’ .e.g. the European different ways to commit conventional crimes blindly but its never too late. 51
Tech Tool Free download | flare.com.pk
LG KS660
Designed for the demanding life of today's businessperson,
LG-KS660's slim design and operator-friendly tools help users to
manage their time better and work more efficiently.
The phone's 5-megapixel camera captures great private
memories, while keeping personal photos separate from impor-
tant business documents. Likewise, for users who handle multi-
ple businesses or use separate phone accounts for international
travel, the dual SIM allows convenient access to both accounts in
a single phone.
In addition, enhanced business features are available through
the LG-KS660's Smart Desktop, giving consumers a virtual PC in
the convenience of a slim mobile handset. The phone's 3-inch
touch-screen allows users to quickly access all the information
they need to efficiently manage their business schedule. With just
one click of the finger, a myriad of widgets, including calendar, to-
do list, memo or search tab can be customised for optimum pro-
ductivity.
52
Free download | flare.com.pk Tech Tool
Samsung S5230
Samsung S5230 is obviously a no-nonsense phones
design to appeal to the masses with both its price tag as
well its looks, which remind of some the company's top
mobiles. Targeting the midrange market Samsung S5230
joins the ranks of cheap touch phones and one thing's for
sure. It's not thrown into the fight unprepared.
S5230 is stylish, runs on TouchWiz and can read your
written words. Besides it's a casual snapshot taker with
even the oh-so-popular Smile Shot mode and it can easily
make your portable music player redundant. That seems
enough for us - let's see with what weapons Samsung are
planning to take on the midrange touch wars.
It seems an even more direct competitor to the already
available LG Cookie than the Samsung S5600, but the real
head-to-head will take place only when the phone gets out
there and starts doing some actual sales.
53
Tech Tool Free download | flare.com.pk
LG KF510
It is quite obvious that sleek looks and youthful appeal are very
high on the LG list of priorities recently. Just as we gave you the
flamboyant LG KF600, LG KF510 makes us wonder how much
sweeter Chocolate can get. Undoubtedly of the same bloodline, the
two handsets take a different approach to full touch navigation with
InteractPad and Touch Lighting. The rest of the ammo is basically
the same. The really sleek metallic finish and bigger 2.2" display (no
InteractPad to shrink the screen) are the LG KF510 major assets.
The ultra slim slider has the looks and handling to get us exited so
let's get rolling.
In addition, the KF510 touchpad has some interesting anima-
tions and interactions with the interface, which partially make up for
the lack of a full colour navigation display. It's fair to say that in terms
of navigation, LG KF510 comes within reach of Samsung U900
Soul. And that's a downright compliment. The Soul is a high ball
with HSDPA and a five megapixel shooter.
54
Free download | flare.com.pk Tech Tool
Palm Pre
The crowds gathered for the official launch of Pre, the smart-
phone seen as Palm Inc's best chance to claw back market
share from Apple Inc's iPhone and Research In Motion Ltd's
Blackberry.
The new high-end phone, considered a pivotal product for
both Palm and Sprint Nextel, has been greeted by rave reviews.
Lines were far shorter than those that snaked around Apple
stores for its first hugely popular iPhone two years ago, but
many consumers said they were eager for the new product.
Sprint, the No. 3 U.S. mobile telephone service, is depending
on Pre to help stem defections and win back subscribers from
rivals such as AT&T and Verizon Wireless, a venture of Verizon
Communications <VZ.N> and Vodafone Group Plc.
Sprint spokeswoman Jennifer Walsh Keifer said late on
Saturday that Sprint had sold out of Pre phones at a number of
different locations around the country and that the company
was doing its best to restock stores.
Motorola RIZR Z8
Out-of-this-world design, head-turning exterior, non-
touch Symbian UIQ, excellent multimedia equipment.
We're testing a Motorola kick-slider!
With the RIZR Z8 Motorola is creatively revisiting the
realms of Symbian UIQ. Except for Wi-Fi, the handset
offers full data connectivity, perfect display and high-
capacity memory card support - all packed in an attractive
black slider.
A high-end multimedia device, the RIZR Z8 offers a few
unique features: it's a UIQ 3.1 and yet a non-touchscreen
handset, plus the kick-slide form factor is a true show-off.
Almost all is staked on multimedia with this phone, so
much so that the improvements offered by the enhanced
RIZR Z10 model are limited to the imaging: a 3-megapixel
camera and xenon flash.
Along with some of the usual Motorola design and
functionality solutions, the Z8 brings exciting multimedia
power and the unique slide-and-bend action for high-end
targeting of both the style sensitive and the tech-savvy.
55
Tech Tool Current Mobiles Free download | flare.com.pk
Rs. Rs.
14,500 9,700
Rs. Rs.
11,300 27,000
56
Rs. Rs.
34,000 24,600
Rs. Rs.
21,400 58,000
57
Rs. Rs.
35,000 67,000
Rs. Rs.
55,000 49,000
equipped palmsets
classic is expected to start shipping in the third
quarter of 2009.
N
Life Tools.
markets closer to reality with the built from the ground up to meet the specific
The Nokia 2720 fold is expected to begin
announcement of three new mobile needs of customers in the developing world.
shipping in the third quarter of 2009 for an
phones that open the door to Lambeek continues, “Whilst many people
estimated retail price of EUR 55 before subsidies
information, entertainment, family and friends. are still primarily using voice and text, the
and taxes.
The Nokia 2730 classic, Nokia 2720 fold and internet does offer a whole new range of
Nokia 7020 each come internet-ready, and work opportunities.
Nokia 7020
with Nokia's range of emerging market services
A fashionable fold phone that uses light,
such as Nokia Life Tools and Ovi Mail, creating “Unlike most other email colour and metal finishes to convey personal
solutions that help people get ahead.
services, an Ovi Mail account style, you will never miss a thing with the
"The power of the internet is undeniable,"
says Alex Lambeek, Vice President at Nokia. can be created and used stardust effect when you get a call or message,
or tap twice to have the cover light up. Connect
"We've seen mobile technologies catalyse the directly on a Nokia device to social networks, and share pictures taken
growth of the informal sector across the world,
without ever having to use a with the two mega pixel camera and shown on
empowering local entrepreneurs and having an
immediate and lasting impact on people's lives. PC. Since the launch of the the bright display.
The Nokia 7020 is expected to begin shipping
Services like Nokia Life Tools and Ovi Mail, beta service in December in the fourth quarter of 2009 for an estimated
combined with the mobile phones we're
2008, around 90 per cent of retail price of EUR 90 before subsidies and taxes.
launching today, bring powerful solutions that
can be the gateway to knowledge, entertainment the accounts have been Lambeek concludes, "With our longstanding
commitment to emerging markets, a Nokia
and people, without the need for a PC." created on a Nokia phone” customer can be confident that any product we
According to extensive Nokia consumer
offer meets a strict and consistent set of high-
research, nearly half of emerging market “Nokia Life Tools is a service that enables
quality standards. This is particularly important
customers said that they would rather connect people to make better informed decisions, find
in markets where technical assistance and repair
to the Internet over a mobile phone than a PC. timely and relevant information, access learning
shops are not easily accessible."
As a result, Nokia has developed locally opportunities and enjoy entertainment
relevant solutions that consist of affordable regardless of time or place. In a pilot study in 59
Tech Tool Low Range Mobiles Free download | flare.com.pk
Rs. Rs
5,950 3,499
Rs. Rs.
2,450 6,000
Rs. Rs.
3,100 5,400
60
Rs. Rs.
37,900 42,500
Rs. OT-800
RGENERAL: Dimensions: 111 x 58.2 x
16,500 13.9 mm Full
QWERTY Keypad Stereo Bluetooth: 2.0
MicroSD: Expandable to
4GB Camera/Video: 2 Mega Pixel FM
LG KF600 Radio, RDS
LG KF600 - Changing navigation SCREEN: Dimensions: 2.2'' TFT QVGA
keypad as you need it Landscape
Smartly Intelligent LG KF600 has a Display
unique interactive touch-based virtual MESSAGING: MSN®
navigation keypad that interacts with Messenger Google
upper display and with the users.The Talk™ ICQ SIP Twitter Yahoo!™ AIM®
LG KF600's highly sophisticated EMAIL: POP3, IMAP4, SMTP
design will keep your attention as oth- FEATURES: Edge Class
ers lean in to take notice. The Interact 12 Music Player Opera
Pad will create a whole new experi- Mini JAVA Facebook MySpace Audio
ence in your mobile life – one of com- & Video Streaming
fort and convenience. WIDGETS: Weather
Forecast News`
Rs.
Rs. 56,000
45,000
Apple-iPhone 3G (16GB)
BlackBerry Bold 9000 Apple iphone 3G 16GB... Twice as
Fast. Half the Price
Be Bold
This 133 grams phone has a Lithium
The BlackBerry® Bold™ 900 smart-
Ion battery, which provides talk time
phone embodies elegant design –
of 600 minutes and standby time of
without sacrificing the features or
300 hours. It has added features like
functionality you expect from a premi-
Quad band, 16m coloured touch-
um smartphone. BlackBerry Bold 900
screen display with resolution of 320
connects you, helping you stay on
x 480 pixels and a music player sup-
top of your day. With BlackBerry®
porting MP3, AAC, Audible, Apple
Bold™ 900 camera and video record-
Lossless, AIFF and WAV music for-
ing, you can capture and share the
mats. It also comes with an inbuilt
moment with just a few clicks.
memory of 16GB, 3G compatibility, 2
BlackBerry® Bold™ 900 - The
megapixel camera, Wi-fi, Bluetooth,
BlackBerry Experience: No
USB connector and EDGE.
Compromises
61
62
Free download | flare.com.pk Upcoming Mobiles Tech Tool
63
Tech Tool Accessories Free download | flare.com.pk
Elise.co Puddlejumper
The Puddlejumper is a luminescent raincoat that glows in the rain. Hand silk
screened electroluminescent lamps on the front of the jacket are wired to interior elec-
tronics and conductive water sensors on the back and left sleeve. When water hits one
of the sensors, the corresponding lamp lights up, creating a flickering pattern of illu-
mination that mirrors the rhythm of rainfall.
The water sensor is simple enough to make, embroidered conductive thread in
places where the rain interaction should take place. When the textile gets wet the elec-
tricity can flow between the two threads of the sensor and the switch is activated
turning on the light.
Sunglass cum video built in DVR! World's 1st covert video camera
The next generation covert
built into watch
video eyewear is out! This
If you want the latest innovation in
professional grade covert video
covert video bodywear, the covert video
bodywear kit renders other kits
watch with built in digital video recorder
that require you to record to a
hidden inside is finally hear! This handsome
separate DVR a thing of the past!
watch not only looks great, but it also hides a
The digital video recorder is built right
hidden 1.5 mega pixel CMOS camera with a 2
into the eyeglass frame itself.
GB digital video recorder.
65
Tech Tool Flare Report Free download | flare.com.pk
Rs. Rs.
208,000 132,088
Rs. Rs.
112,018 224,978
Rs. Rs.
71,878 160,989
Samsung-2033SW Dell-3008WFP
This 20-inch, LCD, widescreen colour monitor consumes 37 watts of This 30-inch, LCD, wide screen colour monitor has digital user con-
power per hour, has digital user controls and a maximum resolution trols and a maximum resolution of 2560x1600 dpi. The screen is flat
of 1600x900 dpi. The screen is flat with anti-glare and anti-static coat- with anti-glare and anti-static coating. It has Analog and DVI-D inter-
ing. It has a contrast ratio of 15000:1 (dynamic contrast ratio) and face with HDCP. It has 8ms response time and a contrast ratio of
response time of 5ms. It has others features like Magic Bright 3, image 3000:1. It has tilt, swivel and height adjustable stand. It has other fea-
size, colour effect, customised key, Magic Tune safe mode for better tures like S-Video, composite, component, USB 2.0 Ports and HDMI.
quality viewing. It has DVI-D connectivity.
67
Tech Tool Game Review Free download | flare.com.pk
There are thousands of computer games but only a handful of classics. Kyle
Ackerman, one of America's most prolific games journalists and a regular
contributor to PC gamer and computer games magazine,
Of all the "massively multiplayer" online games, World of Warcraft is easily the best for both
experienced online gamers and PC owners with a broadband connection who want to try online
gaming. World of Warcraft is the perfect way to explore an alternate life and make new friends from
every corner of the globe.
For older or less-experienced gamers, World of Warcraft is the surest way to test the water for
this genre of social games. The colourful and engaging graphics evoke a Tolkienesque fantasy
world filled with elves and orcs, like in The Lord of the Rings without the need for a high-end
machine. The tutorials are straightforward and plentiful, and the fact that World of
Warcraft has the largest community of any massively multiplayer online game means
that it's easy to find a like-minded community of gamers with whom to while away the
online hours.
While MMOGs are best as a social experience, more than any other MMOG, World
of Warcraft supports solo play. Plentiful quests allow gamers to find more than enough
to do in the world of Azeroth, even when friends are busy. This also allows novices to get
used to the conventions of online gaming before joining up with a group of players.
The game's crafting system and dynamic auction houses create an economy robust enough to
keep some players fully occupied just playing the market. Dungeons and even more difficult high-
level raids provide the challenges requiring experience, co-ordination and extensive planning.
There are even different styles of player-vs.-player battlegrounds for gamers who prefer to test their
mettle against other human beings.
There is an assortment of races and playable classes (each with multiple variations). They are
divided into two factions (The Alliance and Horde), each of which has access to different quests,
dungeons and areas. The vast variety of activities means that, regardless of your experience with
MMOGs, you can play this game for an hour here and there, or for dozens of hours per week. World
of Warcraft is a successful online game that many have tried to emulate, but no one has yet
surpassed.
The Chronicles of one at a time. You'll always know how sneaky you are -
the screen takes on a bluish tint to show you haven't been
RIDDICK
detected. Sometimes you have no choice but to fight. The
action comes in short, intense doses.
In one level, I had to navigate a dank sewer system
while staving off packs of leaping zombies. The patient
Perhaps Vin Diesel should stick with video games: "The Chronicles of
sneaking is rewarded toward the end of the game, when
Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay" is a superlative new title for the Xbox.
you take control of a nearly indestructible robot and go
Critics generally have bashed his movie, "The Chronicles of Riddick.
on a rampage against hapless guards.
"Butcher Bay," however, delivers with great graphics, precise controls, a
Some will complain that the game is too short. I
streamlined interface and immersive gameplay.
finished it in a day, but I prefer quality over quantity. For
Butcher Bay" is actually a prequel of sorts to "Pitch Black," the 2000
$50, "Butcher Bay" successfully melds flashy looks with
movie where hardened criminal Riddick crash-lands on a darkened
unforgettable, cinematic game play. Games like this only
planet overrun with bloodthirsty aliens. This time, Riddick - a sunglass-
come along once every few years.
wearing antihero - is the newest arrival at Butcher Bay, a giant detention
centre on a desert planet.
There are dozens of detailed and expressive characters to interact
with, from fellow inmates to hateful wardens. And once you get Riddick's
special night vision, prepare to see darkened surroundings painted in
surreal, tie-dyed hues of red and purple.
Instead of shooting wildly into a cavern full of enemies, you have to
68 sneak in the shadows, crawl behind security guards and take them out
Free download | flare.com.pk Tech Tool
Half-Life 2 is a technically amazing, sharply honed first-person shooter that pulls all the tricks that
made Half-Life such a beloved experience.
In Half-Life 2, you assume the role of Gordon Freeman, the theoretical physicist and dimension-
hopping commando who saved the world from an alien invasion at the end of Half-Life. Half-Life 2
starts you off facing the infamous G-Man, the mysterious blue-suited character from the first game. At
the end of Half-Life, the G-Man offered you a choice: work for him or die. Since there would be no
sequel if you chose the latter, Half-Life 2 assumes you chose the former, and you start the
game in a train entering City 17 for your introduction into this new world.
City 17 is a run-down urban centre that's the equivalent of the Warsaw ghettos
during World War II but instead of Jews being rounded up to live in City 17, it's
all the remnants of a defeated humanity. Half-Life 2 takes place an untold
number of years after the Black Mesa incident, but it is clear that much has
changed.
Half-Life 2 As soon as the shooting begins you'll join an essentially non-stop battle that
will last the remainder of the game. Like the original Half-Life, Half-Life 2 is
presented as a nearly seamless experience - you play entirely from Gordon
Freeman's perspective, there are no cut scenes or perspective changes to take
It is a very impressive and
you out of the moment, and are there no narrative jumps that skip ahead in
engaging shooter, and a time.
faithful follow-up to one of the Half-Life 2 doesn't revolutionise the genre, instead sticking with the familiar
formula of run-and-gun action, occasional puzzle solving, and scripted sequences
greatest PC games of all time. established by Half-Life.
The Mouse Ball is a trackball that plugs into the mouse port of your
ST. It works just like the ST mouse,
You've probably seen trackballs before, either on a computer or an
Mouse Ball
flick of your thumb sends the pointer zipping across the screen - then
arcade video game. It works something like a mouse that's been flipped skidding to a stop at "OK," just in time for you to punch the oversized button.
on its back. The mouse has a ball on its underside that rolls along your No, it's not as easy to be precise as with a mousebut it sure livens up a
desk or mouse-pad; when you move the mouse, the ball turns and tells the spreadsheet.
ST where the on-screen pointer should be. A trackball doesn't slide across The Mouse Ball is a specially modified trackball originally made by Wico.
the desk; instead, you turn the ball with your fingers. Wico makes the Cadillac of tr4ckballs: The ball is heavy, with a good solid
There's one obvious advantage to the trackball: You don't need lots of feel, and it turns easily in any direction, so it's extremely responsive.
open space on your desk to push a mouse. The Mouse Ball takes up just a The Mouse Ball works like a mouse in every way. The buttons are on the
5-by-6-inch spot, and with a cluttered desk, that's a nice feature. There's upper left-hand corner of the track-ball case - the "left" button is much larger
also a clear disadvantage to a trackball: It's not quite as easy to position the than the "right" button, so you can't mistake them.
mouse pointer accurately on screen. I originally got interested in the Mouse Ball when my mouse disappeared
But that's not what you really notice with the Mouse Ball. A trackball is - and at $29.95, the Mouse Ball is the least expensive mouse replacement you
fun. It's like putting roller skates on your ST. With a mouse, you have to can buy. But once you've tried it, you may find that you don't want to go back
move your hand across your desk to click on "OK." With the Mouse Ball, a to an ordinary mouse when you can skate around the screen with a trackball.
Jack Tretton, President and CEO Sony Computer Entertainment America, unveils the new pink
Hannah Montana-branded version of the PSP portable gaming device, at the Sony Electronics
and Entertainment Expo (E3) media briefing in Los Angeles, California. Models with a Dragon character outside the Koei display at the E3 Expo in Los Angeles.
Spectators take snaps as two dogs display creations during a fashion show in Russia's St. Petersburg Zoo
in Russia.
US actor Verne Troyer (front), British actress Lily Cole (2ndL), British direc-
tor Terry Gilliam (3rdL), British actor Andrew Garfield (3rdR) and British
producer Amy Gilliam (2ndR) arrive for the screening of the movie "The
Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus" presented out of competition at the 62nd Monaco: Bees attack members of the crowd of the Monte-Carlo ATP Masters Series Tournament tennis
72 Cannes Film Festival. match.
Free download | flare.com.pk National Mosaic
Sindh Provincial Minister of Information Shazia Marri lessening problems of peoples at Chief
Minister House in Karachi.
Group Picture shows, Mr Jingak Chung, Senior Manager Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. with Mr Rizwan
Butt, COO DWP, Khurram Farooq, Head of Marketing (AV) Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. and Mr
Shoaib Younas, Deputy Manager Marketing DWP at the Brand shop opening in Karachi Bahdurabad.
The Samsung display centers caters all products of Samsung available for consumers.
Risalpur: May 28 – Guests attending the Airmen Graduation ceremony at PAF Academy.
A gypsy youngster playing with his cell phone while sitting under the
shadow of a tree in Islamabad.
73
Free download | flare.com.pk National Mosaic
Federal Minister for IT and Telecom Qamar Zaman Kaira in meeting with Paul Falkner Vice President
British Telecom Global Services in Islamabad.
A student playing with her cell phone while on the way back after
attending the college in Islamabad.
Telenor Pakistan set up an employee contribution fund for IDPs from Swat and Buner. A cheque worth
Rs 1,685,900 was handed over to the Pakistan Red Crescent Society's (PRCS) relief fund. In the picture,
Telenor Pakistan's Director Corporate Communications and Responsibility, Syed Hasnat Masood
(center left) along with his Corporate Responsibility team is seen handing over the contribution to the
Secretary-General PRCS, Retired Brigadier Muhammad Ilyas Khan (center right) on 20 May 2009 at
PRCHS Headquarters, Islamabad.
Lahore: Harris Seunghyun Kwak, (3-L) Marketing & Sales Manager MENA region Samsung Electronics
is pictured with senior management of Samsung Electronics Pakistan and DWP group at an introductory A young labourer playing with his cell phone during his lean
seminar on Samsung Thin Client equipments.
time in Islamabad.
75
Free download | flare.com.pk
SMS could be the next big thing, but we have to redefine the importance of this
strategic messaging system since companies around the world using this medium in
various applications such as mobile banking, mobile purchasing, mobile bill payment
etc. But, in Pakistan there is a much need to have a different perspective of this
technology so people can facilitate this service as a problem solving solution. SMS can
be used in organisations such as.
1) Hospitals (one can send SMS and get information about doctors and hospitals);
2) Schools/Universities (if students wants to know about their grades they can
send SMS along with their role numbers to receive their grades);
3) Locations (if someone wants to know the directions of the city he or she can
SMS and know about
the specific locations);
4) Fast food deals can be
learnt via SMS; and
5) Companies want to run a
consumer based campaign, they
can do it in least expensive way
compared with other mediums
such as TV, Radio, Billboard etc.
76
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CEO and President of PTCL Walid Irshaid presenting a cheque of Rs.20 million to Prime Minister
Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani at Prime Minister House.
Microsoft and Aga Khan Foundation inked an agreement to establish the country’s first pilot Com-
munity Technology Learning Centers in remote northern areas of Gilgit and Hunza. By expanding
ICT access and training resources to the rural areas, these centers will offer local residents new social
and economic opportunities. Seen at the ceremony are (L-R Aftab Iqbal, Fahad bin Hasnain, Kamal
Ahmad (CM Microsoft Pakistan), Al-Nashir Jamal (CEO AKFP), Malik Imran and Ali Effendi.
Lahore: Watching the four year old Shayan Taimur Khan swing the club to secure a hole at the lush
green DHA golf course is an experience in itself. Golfing skills of this kindergarten student of the La-
hore Preschool is a living testament of the fact that there is no scarcity of talent in our country. Little
master Shayan is a class act when it comes to golf and is the youngest member of the DHA golf club.
He is all set to make his mark in the golfing world in the not so distant future and to make sure
Karachi: Guests capturing the moments through their cameras Shayan excels at his game, he is being coached by Garrison Golf Club’s professional golfer and
during 14th PTV Awards ceremony at PAF Museum. Shayan’s grandfather Maj (Retd) Shamim Shafqat Khan. 77
International Synopsis Free download | flare.com.pk
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton holds up a mobile phone as she describes how Americans can
send a text message to help displaced Pakistanis in support of US aid to Pakistan in Washington, US.
An Albanian AC Milan supporter takes photos with a mobile phone during the friendly soccer match
between Albania and AC Milan at the Qemal Stafa stadium in Tirana. Albania.
A watermelon vendor uses his mobile phone at a market in Taiyuan, Shanxi province, China
Models display new mobile phones by Japan's second largest mobile An Indian model poses with the Acer Gatway and eMachines PC during the launch in New Delhi,
operator KDDI and produced by Toshiba, in Tokyo, Japan. India.
A model dispays Softbank's solar powered mobile phone "Solar Hybrid", produced by Sharp, which
Ecuador's Health Minister Caroline Chang uses the phone before a enables it to make a one-minute call with a 10-minute charge under the sun in Tokyo, Japan.. The
news conference in Pelileo, Ecuador. Solar Hybrid phone is also equipped with an 8 mega-pixel camera on the water-proof body.
79
Free download | flare.com.pk National Synopsis
Ufone raises tariff on SMS by 66pc told the that she was not informed about the
raise in international SMS tariff, as a result, she
had to suffer due to the extra billing.
U
fone has increased its international via an SMS broadcast while the PTA has also Mubasher Javed, another Ufone user who is
SMS pricing up to 66 per cent - from been informed of the raise in prices," he added. an intermediate student, said he had no
Rs1.50 per SMS to Rs2.50 per information about the prices' raise and he
international SMS. suffered as he had to pay all his pocket money
Ufone consumers say all this has been done for texting his uncle who lives in United
without information of the customers which are Kingdom.
against the telecom guidelines laid down by the When contacted, PTA spokesperson,
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Khurram Ali Mehran, endorsed the version by
rules, under which the regulator also needs to be the Ufone, saying the company had informed
informed before increasing the price packages. the PTA of the prices raise. "Ufone informed the
However, Ufone spokesman, Mozzam Ali PTA on May 5 that it is revising tariffs of
Khan, Head of the PR, in an exclusive talk with International SMS to Rs2.50 per message from Rs
this scribe, contradicted the consumers' version, "Ufone is providing best value in both voice 1.50 per message to be effective from May 2009".
saying still the international SMS charges of and SMS packages and international SMS is no He said the PTA advised Ufone to give prior
Ufone are half of the rates other operators exception - as other operators in the country notice to consumers before increasing the
charging from their customers in Pakistan. charge Rs5 per International SMS, while ufone's charges.
"The matter of fact is that a heavy electronic rate is only Rs2.50."
media campaign has been advertising the new However, the Ufone users say they had no
rates; the customers were informed of these rates such intimation. Sadia Khan, a Ufone subscriber,
83
Free download | flare.com.pk National Telepedia
of success 17
customers
million
T
he different colours and polarisations of discs already have.
absorbed by the nano-particles depends on its
light access different images. A new They say they were able to introduce a
polarisation. This allowed the researchers to
optical recording method could pave the spectral - or colour - dimension and a
record different layers of information at different
way for data discs with 300 times the polarisation dimension. The scientists used the
angles. The researchers thus refer to the approach
storage capacity of standard DVDs, Nature
as 5-D recording. Previous research has
journal reports.
demonstrated recording techniques based on
The researchers say this could see a whopping
colour or polarisation. But, this is the first work
1.6 terabytes of information fit on a DVD-sized
that shows the integration of both. As a result,
disc. They describe their method as "five-
the scientists say they have achieved
dimensional" optical recording and say it could
unprecedented data density.
be commercialised. The technique employs
Their approach used 10-layer stacks
nanometre-scale particles of gold as a recording
composed of thin glass plates as the recording
medium.
medium. If scaled up to a DVD-sized disk, the
Researchers at Swinburne University of
team would be able to record 1.6 terabytes - that
Technology in Australia have exploited the
is, 1,600 gigabytes - or over 300 times the quantity
particular properties of these gold "nano-rods" by
stored on a standard DVD. It's not just elegant -
manipulating the light pointed at them. The team nano-particles to record information in a range
there are a lot of experiments that are elegant -
members described what they did as adding two of different colour wavelengths on the same
it's relatively straightforward.
"dimensions" to the three spatial dimensions that physical disc location. This is a major
F
run more than one
iPhone operating system could spur new collar for a virtual pet.
program
revenue streams for Apple Inc., consider Allowing transactions to be completed within
simultaneously. This
"iFluff Friends." applications may mark a sea change in the
makes Internet
The free application, known as an app, lets economics of the iPhone and what it means to
telephone calls and
players groom and feed virtual pets on their the Cupertino, Calif., consumer-products giant.
other communications
iPhone. Some buy fancier collars or better food Investors are already anticipating the
features more difficult
for their creations directly from Social Gaming changes. The company's shares have risen about
to use. It will also
Network, the game's distributor. 44 per cent this year amid expectations the new
include picture
Players even buy and sell the virtual pets; operating system - and the flashy new phone it
messaging and peer-to-
some digital kitties are valued at more than will run on - will be big sellers.
peer connectivity, as
USD500, of which SGN gets a cut. Shervin In-app payments aren't the only changes
well as add functions -
Pishevar, the company's co-founder, says, coming to the iPhone. Apple watchers, who
like the ability to cut-
"We've done very well for selling a free app." expect a new version of the handset this year,
and-paste text - that
So could Apple once it launches iPhone 3.0 in say a new iPhone will likely include design
other smart phones
June. The new operating system will likely changes, such as more memory and processing
already have.
contain hundreds of tweaks to the iPhone's most power and a sharper digital camera.
basic software that make the device more user- But, the new programming is sure to be the
friendly. Among the most significant: Allowing
I
ntel Corp. unveiled a new version of "For users who are looking for an alternative
foundation of software as the company tries to
Moblin, a variant of the Linux operating to Windows, it's disruptive," said Guy Lunardi,
take its chips into several new markets, including
system, that has emerged as a dark-horse whose title at Novell is director of client preloads.
consumer electronics and control consoles in
alternative to Windows in the hot market for But Microsoft, a longtime Intel partner, is not
cars.
low-end laptops called netbooks. the only company that could be affected. Moblin,
Mr Fisher said Intel was uniquely qualified to
The move provides new evidence of Intel's for example, was also designed to run on smart
develop software to exploit features of Atom,
ambitions to become a bigger player in software, phones and other pocket-sized Internet devices.
which allow netbooks to boot up quickly and
a strategy that could conflict with the plans of Doug Fisher, a vice president in Intel's
provide longer battery life. The company is
allies such as Microsoft Corp., Apple Inc. and
contributing features it develops to the Linux
Google Inc.
Foundation, a nonprofit organisation that is now
Moblin version 2.0, designed for use with an
overseeing development of Moblin.
Intel chip called Atom, comes with a distinctive
Martin Sacchi, senior director of marketing in
interface called M-zone that's designed to help
Microsoft's Windows client group, said Windows
users play digital media, use the Internet and
has quickly outdistanced other Linux versions to
engage in social networking.
account for about 96 per cent of netbook sales
Partners such as Novell Inc., which will help
now. "We remain confident our partners will
adapt and sell Moblin, say the easy-to-use
continue choosing Windows," he said.
software could help Linux finally expand beyond
a tiny niche in the PC market. 91
Synopsis National Free download | flare.com.pk