Yes there is, says Aslam Mahesar Telecommunication is playing a vital role in terms of connecting people around the globe as well as for doing aggressive business in every aspects of life. The information needs of the people and society are rapidly changing therefore we see that the countries that embraced new concepts in telecommunication are making progress in all spheres of economy. If we look at the international and regional scenario, we can visualize how public and private partnership has contributed to sustainable development in telecom sector.

The creation of a conducive environment after the liberalization, in addition to number of incentives led to record growth of the sector. Telecom is now considered as one of the most vibrant and lucrative sector of Pakistan’s economy.
Moreover, PTA is making utmost efforts to further facilitate investment in Pakistan. Authority has achieved new figure growth in telecom sector and has created multifarious opportunities at the right time.
The prospects are very bright by all means. An estimated amount of one billion dollars FDI is expected in the coming financial years. Besides, all new entrants and existing Telecom operators are unfolding their high budgeted future investment plans for expanded services in Pakistan. Telenor and Wand, the newly licensed operators are investing around USD 495 million and USD 325 million respectively. Telenor in next 5 years is expected to invest approximately USD I billion in Pakistan. LDI and WLL operators are also planning to invest USD 411.77 million during 2005-2007.

After the entrance of two new GSM operator, healthy competition in market has increased and consumers are getting quality service at affordable cost. The transparent implementation of the deregulation policy adopted by PTA had the confidence of investors in the economic policies of Pakistan. PTA has always assured telecom operators of every possible support in providing telecom services to the subscribers.
Infact PTA has taken a quantum jump in a short span of time. The induction of new operators will create a healthy competition in the telecom market, as a result of which telecom service users will get quality service at competitive and affordable cost.
Huge investment opportunities are expected which have been created with the start of 2nd phase of deregulation. PTA has also reduced royalties and fees of all the licenses. On the recommendation of PTA, government has also reduced activation charges on new mobile connection from 1000 to Rs 500. All this was done by PTA in order to uplift the sector which consequently had a spillover effect, increasing mobile penetration in the country. Not only reduced taxes but rates of telecom services also including cellular mobile call tariffs have gone down to the extent that now even the labor community can carry its business deals through a cellular device.

Furthermore, PTA has also introduced number of incentives both for operators and consumers. Annual Royalty has been further reduced from 1.5% to 0.500 of annual gross revenue minus inter operators payments for the new entrants. For the benefits of customers, incentives are provided to the mobile operators for the expansion of networks to the rural areas.
Government of Pakistan generated handsome revenue from telecom sector deregulation in the year 2004-2005. In this regard. PTA collected over PKR.30 billion this year from licensing of new mobile and fixed line service.

Chairman PTA is of the view that spectacular growth has been witnessed in Cellular Mobile Sector during last two year and over 17.5 million customers have subscribed to mobile phone service so far, which has paved way to unprecedented growth of the sector in the region. It is expected that cellular subscriber base will cross the figure of 20 million by the end of this year.
Telecom facilities for common man has been increased significantly, and improvement in quality of telecom service and prices of services has reduced tremendously. PTA has also assured telecom operators including new licenses that they will provide level playing field in open manner.
PTA’s objective is to be supportive for new investors because they have to take time and roll out their networks. Authority has to give incentives to new operators to come here and succeed and authority has always assured telecom operators for every possible support providing telecom services to the subscribers.

The installation of wireless local loop (WLL) will save the precious time of business and farmer community and it will strengthen the series of communication from farm to the market. The system will bring tremendous and huge changes in the small urban and rural areas. It actually may be called as community phone that will be available to the whole population of a village and improve local communication in boosting local agricultural and economic activities. Now PTA is focusing on the provision of telecom facilities like WLL in the far flung areas where subscriber density is low.
Through generation of economic activity. Telecom sector investment has opened up large scale of direct and indirect employment opportunity for the country’s skilled and professional youth. Only for the year 2004-05, an estimated number of 4,62783 jobs were created relating to various telecom sector services in the country. Such an economic activity was also reflective of enhanced standard of living of the people and their demand trends for the telecom services.
Transparent implementation of ‘Telecom Deregulation’ and cellular mobile policies by PTA has ushered in a revolution resulting in positive impact on the economy of the country, tele-density, quality of service, employment slots and tariffs. The process of granting new licenses for various telecom services has brought in huge foreign direct investment. PTA. as a telecom regulator. is fully alive to its obligations and will leave no effort in providing an even playing field to all stakeholders and protecting their interests. It ensures that the industry makes great strides for over all growth and development of national economy. PTA Chairman is optimistic about the bright future of telecom industry. Further he is of the view that sector will play a role model for other sectors in reshaping economic destiny of the people.

The scenario speaks volume of the sagacity. Innovative strategies and fair conduct of the Authority in terms of bringing about a telecom revolution in the country. Moreover, consumer oriented policies being adopted by the Authority has also resulted in significant decline of tariffs thus bringing affordability and choice to the people of Pakistan.