Earlier this year, it was discovered by the Pakistan, communication Authority (PTA) that because of booming sale of mobile connections, there was certain franchise holder, who was not adhering to the SOPs in regard to the sale of SIMS. It was specially noted with concern that SIMs were being issued indiscriminately without obtaining the particulars of the customers, or where the particulars were available, their verification/authentication had not been carried out from National Data Registration Authority (NADRA).

In order to rectify this serious omission, meetings were held in May and June 2007, in PTA Headquarters, presided over by Chairman PTA, Major General Shahzada Alam Malik (Retd) and attended by representatives of all CMT0s and other concerned agencies. Stressing upon the importance of the issue, CMTOs were directed to essentially ensure the following:­

Display of certificate of franchise issued by the CMT0s to their franchisees prominently at their premises for the satisfaction of the customers.

Filling of Customer Agreement Form, which had been made simpler for ease of understanding.

Obtaining the copy of computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) of the customers.

Seeking verification of the particulars of the customers from NADRA.

Computerizing the data of customers.

CMT0s were given three months to verify the antecedents of the existing customers while they were unequivocally told that inspections would be carried out of their outlets to cheek whether the laid down procedures were being followed or not. They were warned that if a franchise holder was found not adhering to the policy and procedures, its franchise would be cancelled and premises sealed. These cheeks were to start from the month of July 2007.

A meeting of all mobile companies was held, chaired by Chairman PTA and attended by Chief Executive Officers (CE0s) and senior management of CMT0s. While the mobile operators briefed the Chairman PTA regarding the measures taken by them to implement the instructions of PTA, such as running ads in the press and sending messages on SMS to customers to get their connections transferred in their names, the Chairman stressed the need to follow the SOPs in letter and in spirit warning them again that strict action, including cancellation of franchise, would be taken against those who were not following Proper procedure.

The promised checks commenced in August, undertaken by various teams of PTA’s zonal offices located at Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, Peshawar and Multan. As a result of these cheeks, in the month of September 2007, PTA directed various mobile operators to seal six premises of franchises and cancel their registration immediately as they were violating the SOPS. The details of the sealed franchises include two of Mobilink (i.e. Center Point, Gulberg, Lahore Haleem Telecom, and AI-Haj Plaza, Chowk Gulabad, Peshawar), one of Ufone (i.e. Zakariya Shopping Center, Bosan Road, Multan), one of Telenor (i.e. 7 Circular Road, Lahore), one of Warid Telecom (i.e. Dar Communication, Garhi Shahu, Allama lqbal Road, Lahore) and one of M/s CMPak (Paktel) (i.e. Latifabad No.7, Hyderabad).

After this strict severe and drastic action taken against the non-compliants, one would have expected that matters would improve. However, in October 2007, similar action was taken against eleven defaulters and the CMT0s were instructed to cancel their franchise and seal their premises. Sealed franchises included three of Mobilink (i.e. Mobilink, Tando Adam, A. H. Communication, Shop No. 1, 2, 3, Nishat Plaza, near MCB, Jhang Road, Muzaffargarh and Mobilink Franchisee near Police Station, By Pass Road, Pishin), two of Ufone (i.e. Mariyum Communication, Multan Road, Muzaffargarh and Ufone Franchise, College Road, Chaman), two of Warid Telecom (i.e. Tahah Communications, Rustam Shaheed Road, Tando Jam and Warid Franchise near Police Station, By Pass Road, Pishin) two of Telenor (i.e. Telenor, Tando Allah Yar and Telenor, Tando Adam), two of CM Pak (Paktel) (i.e. Paktel Sales and Customer Services Center, Station Road, Mirpur Khas and Paktel, Tando Adam). The fact that far off places, such as Chaman and Pishin in Balochistan were also visited by the teams is avidence of the seriousness and dedication with which the matter is being dealt with by PTA.

As this process continues, it is hoped that the situation will improve in the near future and there will soon come a time when such drastic action will not be needed as there will be no defaulter.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:12/9/2007