After a long and patient wait, the licenses for next generation technologies have been distributed amongst the winning contenders of this year 3G/4G auctions yesterday. This auspicious and much-awaited event was organized at the heart of Islamabad in Serena Hotel.
The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif along with a galore of dignitaries such as Ishaq Dar Minister Finance, Mrs. Anusha Rehman, State Minister for IT and Telecom, and PTA chairman Dr. Ismail Shah attended the party to add value to this milestone ceremony.
The executives of winning cellular firms namely Zong, Ufone and Mobilink attended the distribution party whereas Telenor was presented by its CCO. Mr. Aslam Hayat.
PTA boss, Dr. Ismail Shah leaded the way by inking the respective licenses on government’s behalf whereas CEO MObilink, Mr. Rashid Khan, CEO CMPak, Mr. Fan Yun Jun, CEO Ufone, Mr. Abdul Aziz, and Telenor’s Corporate Affaris head, Mr. Aslam Hayat signed the licenses on behalf of their companies.
It may be recalled that three out of four operators namely Ufone, Telenor and Mobilink won the 3G spectrum license while Zong became Pakistan’s first network to clinch a 4G license in addition to a 3G. Warid refused to be a part of next generation auctions which concluded last month.
Earlier, Telenor and Ufone deposited half of their spectrum fee upfront whereas Zong and Mobilink managed to submit full payment at first. In addition to this fee, a surplus 10% WHT on license cost is also going to be paid in the government pocket as well.
As for now, the cellular companies are given a green signal to unveil their respective 3G/4G facilities commercially all over Pakistan.April 23, 2014 next generation auction generated some 1.2 billion dollars of revenue for the country. The government still holds 2 unsold license which will be auctioned somewhere around this year having worth of 505 million dollars.
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