wi-tribe Pakistan:

Pakistan’s broadband market has been slothful despite the fact that broadband services have been made available since five years. Currently there are a total of approx 131,871 Broadband subscribers, which provide dismal picture when compared with other similar economies.

Cost of service (Tariff) has been the major reason behind this slow growth. However a major development for broadband market is the introduction of DSL services by the incumbent (PTCL) itself. PTCL has started offering its DSL services since June 2007 in various cities e.g Islamabad, Peshawar, Lahore and Karachi. PTCL offered low tariffs for home users with free installation service. This has affected tariffs offered by other DSL operators as they have also lowered DSL tariffs in order to remain competitive. According to PTCL sources, since they started of DSL service, 35,000 subscribers have subscribed to their Broadband. It is believed that such competition will lower the tariff and eventually will flourish the broadband market.

Coverage / Provision of broadband services is another factor as main emphasis of broadband operators have been to cover urban areas specially large cities, leaving a major part of population leaving in small cities, towns and villages forbidden of broadband services.

One can expect that PTCL having the largest data network will soon start offering DSL services in other cities and towns. WiMax Services will play a vital role in proliferation for broadband services to rural areas of the country in near future as the figure show that since introduction of first ever WiMax service
(December 2007) in Pakistan Wateen Telecom has captured 10000 subscribers in a short span of four months.

Apart from above Literacy Rate, Computer Penetration, Broadband Investment, QoS Level, Policy execution including the issues such as (Local Content Development, Countrywide Broadband Awareness Campaign and Provision of low Interest Loans for purchase of Computers) has also affect the development of broadband in the country, however It is expected that steps taken by PTA in collaboration with Industry players will ensure better and economical broadband services in Pakistan. Latest developments like reduction in tariff, steady rise in disposable income per capita, extensive infrastructure rollouts (especially fiber), introduction of triple-play services, rural tele-center project to educate rural population, Deployment of Fiber and WiMax Networks and growing bandwidth demands from businesses will help Broadband proliferation in urban as well as rural areas. It is estimated that there will be 0.5 Million Broadband subscribers in Pakistan by 2010.

“With wi-tribe we are able to deliver an important technology for the medium to long-term that will serve the needs of broadband customers,” said Marafih.

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About wi-tribe Pakistan:

wi-tribe launched its largest operations in the Pakistan in July 2009, simultaneously in four regions; Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore and Karachi.

wi-tribe is passionate about providing a unique and personalized customer care experience, teamed with instant connectivity and simplified service bundles and applications.

Backed by unrivalled experience, knowledge and ability, wi-tribe group, is a Qtel Group company, was born in April of 2007. wi-tribe Pakistan is a proud partner of the A.A. Turki Group of companies (ATCO) and Clearwire. The vast experience these world leaders bring to the table has fuelled the growth of this new venture, launching wi-tribe globally as part of Qtel’s 2020 vision.

Visit www.wi-tribe.pk for the latest news about our products and services