Mobilink today announced the inauguration of a school near Lahore in Nathoki village, as part of its commitment to the cause of The Citizens Foundation (TCF).

This is the first of two TCF-Mobilink schools and was inaugurated by Bilal Munir Sheikh, Vice President Marketing, Mobilink along with Gen. (R) S.P. Shahid, CEO of TCF. Also present on the occasion were members of the TCF committee for the construction of schools, members of the faculty of the new school, and the excited school children.

Inaugurating the school, Bilal Munir Sheikh said, “Our commitment to the TCF cause is strengthened with the foundation laying of every new school, as we continue to assist TCF in building schools in underdeveloped areas of Lahore and Karachi. These schools enable deserving children to acquire education in a clean and friendly environment under the guidance of trained staff.”

In December 2006, Mobilink announced a financial commitment of Rs. 20 million for the construction of schools in collaboration with TCF in under-developed areas of Lahore and Karachi. Their Lahore campus in Nathoki, is a single unit Primary school and the other school is a 2 unit Secondary school in Taiser Town, Karachi.

Mobilink’s agreement supports TCF’s nationwide education program in villages and urban slums across Pakistan. In addition to the construction of schools, Mobilink will also finance an advertising campaign with TCF through electronic and print media, advocating the cause of education for under-privileged children in Pakistan. An SMS donation campaign was already launched in Ramzan 2007.

“Educational facilities for the less-fortunate in the underdeveloped areas of the country are relatively nonexistent. Pakistani children often don’t have access to schools in villages, towns and cities that can cater to their basic needs. TCF has moved swiftly in recent years to reach remote places and set-up schools, and Mobilink is proud to be associated with TCF in this noble cause,” Bilal Munir Sheikh added.

TCF is one of the largest non-profit organizations working in the field of education in Pakistan. It has at present expanded its network of purpose-built schools for deserving children to 311 units, educating almost 40,000 children all over the country. The 2,400 female teachers imparting education in these schools have been fully trained by TCF itself. TCF is also currently building schools for children in the earthquake affected areas.

TCF in partnership with Mobilink is also engaged in rehabilitation and reconstruction activities in the Chamman Kotli Nawab Khan village in Asad Jammu and Kashmir. The rehabilitation includes the construction of 172 houses and the strengthening of infrastructure and provision of water supply system for the residents of the village.

Telenor Pakistan in collaboration with AeroMobile has commercially launched the world’s first in-flight mobile service. The new service allows Telenor Pakistan’s postpaid customers to use their GSM services while in flight on Emirates Airline aircraft equipped with the AeroMobile system.

The first in-flight mobile phone calls using the Telenor Group’s GSM network took place on Emirates flight EK751 on 20th March flying between Dubai and Casablanca with full approval from aviation authorities. Dubai-based international carrier Emirates, has guidelines for the appropriate use of phones on board, including requesting passengers to have their phones switched to “silent” mode during the flights. The airline’s cabin crew is able to monitor use of the system and is in full control of its use throughout flights.

AeroMobile’s in-flight solution allows passengers the convenience of safe use of their personal mobile phones during flights as on the ground. Calls are billed directly to passengers’ existing mobile phone accounts as international roaming calls. Before the launch of the service on Emirates airline, mobile phone use in aircraft had only been allowed in limited, short-term trials which did not support voice calls.
Chief Marketing Officer Telenor Pakistan Lars Christian Iuel said: “Once again, leading on the innovation front we are proud to be the first in Pakistan to present in-flight mobile services to subscribers. Now all Telenor Persona customers can stay connected with their business & loved ones, even while in the skies.”
Chief Executive AeroMobile Bjorn-Taale Sandberg added: “We are delighted to join with Emirates and Telenor Pakistan in delivering a genuine world first for the airline industry.”

“Emirates and Telenor Pakistan have set an industry-leading standard for passengers’ communications in launching AeroMobile services. We have gone to considerable lengths to ensure that all safety and regulatory issues have been fully addressed. We believe that the ability to communicate efficiently, easily and safely when on board flights will become an every-day feature of business and leisure travel very quickly.”

AeroMobile is a partnership between ARINC Inc and Telenor ASA. The partnership establishes a GSM provider for the sky. AeroMobile’s unique value proposition lies in the combination of Telenor’s world-class experiences as a telecommunication and satellite service provider and ARINC’s position and reputation as an aeronautical communication systems provider.

The service is available only on AeroMobile equipped Emirate aircrafts , under the standard international roaming terms. Passengers must not use their mobile phones unless they are on an AeroMobile equipped aircraft.

Telenor Pakistan in its continued efforts as a socially responsible organization, recently held Mobile Union Conventions in Lahore and Faisalabad to emphasize the need for proper registration of SIMs and formal documentation for existing and new connections as per PTA policy. A total of 430 retailers participated in the conventions. It was the first time ever that representatives of different retail unions, franchisees, Telenor Pakistan staff and PTA gathered under the same roof for the awareness of implementing PTA SOP.

At the conventions, Zonal Director PTA Nayyar Hassan gave a thorough presentation about the policy and action plans of PTA towards Customer Registration and Information. He described consequence of unregistered connections and shared PTA’s efforts so far to improve compliance at the retail level. Retailers were also shown a presentation about the correct procedures involved in SIM sales. Nayyar showed a great deal of interest towards Telenor Pakistan’s distribution setup and its operations. He expressed his satisfaction over efforts made by the Telenor Pakistan team and congratulated its business partners for their cooperation with PTA on terms and conditions.

Commenting on the convention, Director Corporate Communication Telenor Pakistan Syed Hasnat Masood said, “We at Telenor Pakistan believe in carrying out business in a responsible way and Retailers’ Convention is a step in that direction. Telenor Pakistan teams are making a tremendous contribution to ensure strict compliance to PTA policies for registration of SIMs. In this regard an awareness campaign from the whole industry is also under way.”

“Telenor Pakistan being a major mobile communications player believes that such conventions are essential to keep uniformity in interpretation and application of regulatory requirements. More conventions will soon be held in Multan and in the country’s other main cities. They are the first of a series of programs by which Telenor Pakistan intends to further standardize and enhance the quality of its distribution network. Telenor Pakistan will keep supporting PTA in its progressive policy making and implementation through its distribution network training and awareness campaigns among the retailers plus the masses. This will help define a road map to total compliance in the wider interest of the subscriber and the industry,” Hasnat said.
Later, Regional Director Central-II Telenor Pakistan Shehzad Najam, Regional Sales Manager Lahore Telenor Pakistan Adnan Hassan & Manager Public & Govt. Affairs North (Punjab and NWFP) Telenor Pakistan Syed Nasim Imam Bukhari spoke about the importance of following procedures regarding sale of SIMs and PTA policies. Some of the other efforts that Telenor Pakistan is making to get connections registered include: sending bulk SMS’s to unregistered customers requesting them to register themselves; call-centers at franchise calling customers for getting their SIMs listed, using Telenor branded mobile vans to encourage customers to formally register their subscriptions, creating awareness through cable TV and newspapers on PTA policies, signing new agreements with retailers for SIMs sales, and awarding certificates to authorized retailers.

Internet Website â??www.YouTube.comâ?? has been unblocked and internet subscribers now can have access to the said website.

In a directive to the countryâ??s ISPs, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has allowed the unblocking of the website after the administrators of YouTube had taken off from their website highly offensive blasphemous footage.

Earlier on Friday last, pursuant to a decision by an inter-ministerial committee meeting held at the Ministry of IT & Telecom in Islamabad, PTA had directed all the ISPs to block YouTube, a video sharing website that was found to be running highly provocative and blasphemous anti Islamic contents.

Arousing deep anguish and distress across the Muslim world, PTA believed that had not this highly profane and sacrilegious footage been banned, it had the potential to cause more unrest and possible loss of life and property across the country.

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has directed all the country’s Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block an internet Website www.YouTube.com, on account of showing highly blasphemous film.

The decision to the effect came after a meeting held at the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecom in Islamabad. Senior representatives from the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Cabinet Division, FIA and PTA attended the meeting. YouTube, a video sharing website has been found to be running highly provocative and blasphemous anti Islamic video.

PTA believes that the said footage absolutely stands against the values of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence arousing deep anguish and distress across the Muslim world. Had not this highly profane and sacrilegious footage been banned, it has the potential to cause more unrest and possible loss of life and property across the country.

In view of the above, PTA as the sectorâ??s Regulator has directed countryâ??s ISPs to block the said website showing offensive visual footages. PTA will ensure blocking of the website keeping under consideration all the best practices and means so as to achieve the desired objectives without affecting the ones that are not concerned with the objectionable contents.

Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) has signed an MoU with Microsoft and AZM Computer Services to collaborate in the rollout of GBMS (Global Business Management Solution) – a Microsoft and open source technologies based software application. The software has been developed by AZM Computers in consultation with PRGMEA (Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association) and PHMA (Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers Association) under PSEB’s Industry Automation project and has been successfully implemented in 15 member units of PRGMEA and PHMA resulting in 50-60% increase in productivity.

Under the MoU, Microsoft in partnership with AZM, would provide sales and marketing support to ensure the availability of GBMS application. Customer engagement activities will also be conducted by Microsoft’s innovation centre based in Karachi.  This would allow greater flexibility for the industrial units to implement the GBMS software into their IT systems. Business Support Fund, a not-for-profit organization initiated by Ministry of Finance for the SME sector, has agreed to support the initiative by providing 50% funding for implementing the GBMS application which also includes the cost of software licenses.

Commenting on the collaboration, PSEB official said “PSEB has funded several IT companies for the development of software applications to boost the productivity of SME industrial units, which would provide an opportunity for the local IT companies to cater to the needs of the local manufacturing industry. The collaboration between PSEB, Microsoft and the software companies would ensure maximum flexibility and benefits to the end user. He urged the industrial units to avail the opportunity and increase their productivity by implementing the software.”

Regional Director, Microsoft North Africa, East Mediterranean and Pakistan, Mr. Sherif Seddik said, “Microsoft strongly feels that it must work hand in hand with companies that are driving the local software ecosystems to provide them with latest technologies and support to help address the key challenges of domestic industries.”

“At AZM, we are fully committed to develop state-of-the-art IT solutions for local industries enabling optimum utilization of time and resources as well as increased productivity.”  CEO, AZM Computer Services Mr.Noman Jamil said at the occasion.

PSEB is a Government agency mandated to promote Pakistan’s IT Industry, including software, services, hardware and call centers locally and globally. PSEB has been facilitating the IT Industry through its programs in Human Capital, Office Space, Marketing, Company Capability Development, Telecom Bandwidth, Industry Finance, Public Policy, Strategy & Research, and Facilitation.

PTCL is enthusiastically striving to face the challenges of the dynamic telecom industry in Pakistan, said Mr. Sikandar Naqi, SEVP Corporate Development. In addition to their recently launched nationwide and local call promotions, the introduction of free voice mail in major cities is a big step forward in the right direction.

In the vigorous telecommunication industry, customer satisfaction is a key component in the success of a telecom provider in Pakistan. With mobile providers coming up with new promotions day in and day out, PTCL needed to step up. By providing the free voice mail service they have given their customers the ability to stay in touch any time, anywhere.

Providing the service free of charge and by bearing the burden of its cost to improve customer satisfaction proves PTCL’s keenness to give better service at low cost. “It’s an excellent service,” says Imran Ahmed, a shopkeeper in Karachi, as he stressed on the fact that “message retrieval is free simply by calling 1277.” Even deactivating the service is as easy as dialing #06#.

Though PTCL is making huge strides in the right direction, the telecom industry is also moving faster than ever and the need to keep pace has never been greater. Another primary service to enhance customer satisfaction is call waiting which is essential in today’s world.

Free voice mail service is one way of providing better service but there are other value added services that PTCL does not provide as yet. At a time when PTCL is establishing its brand identity and introducing customer friendly packages and services, it should take the opportunity to provide other value-added services either free or with minimal charges to the customers.

Mobilink today, announced its partnership with Afghanistan’s premier GSM mobile provider, Roshan, to offer world-class GPRS roaming service.

Cellular users are delighted with this ‘breaking news’ as communication access and connectivity in one of the world’s most rugged countries is a great challenge for service-providers. The introduction of GPRS roaming service in Afghanistan is a prime example of Mobilink’s commitment to providing unrivaled service and facilitating its customers’ needs.

Commenting on this historic development, Bilal Munir Sheikh, Vice President Marketing, Mobilink, said, “Mobilink’s ability to reach out to people in the farthest corners of a defined territory is due to our worldclass infrastructure, which has enabled us to partner with Afghanistan’s market leader, Roshan, and provide unmatched GPRS and BlackBerry access to customers in that country.”

“We are proud to go beyond the borders of our home country and become the only Pakistani operator to offer GPRS roaming in Afghanistan, enabling superior quality communication, instant access and convenience,” he added.

According to details released by the company, subscribers can initiate GPRS Roaming in Afghanistan by registering as a Mobilink International Roaming subscriber at any Customer Sales Center and avail the special affordable package. Once in Afghanistan, one must simply select Mobilink’s partner network Roshan to enjoy GPRS Roaming.

The service will allow customers’ to use their GPRS enabled mobile phone/PDA and Blackberry to browse the Internet, send and receive MMS and download content while traveling in Afghanistan. The Blackberry users can easily access their emails without fail and stay connected. Additionally, easy accesses to a range of value-added services are also available at Mobilink World at http://wap.mobilinkworld.com.

Mobilink continues to maintain its leadership in the cellular industry of Pakistan by launching new products and services which go beyond the national boundaries, demonstrating their commitment towards being a complete telecommunications service provider.

Telenor Pakistan and the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) are set to launch Pakistan’s first-ever mobile blood donor service, whereby donors with Telenor Pakistan’s mobile connections will be able to register themselves in a blood donor database via SMS and also through the web at Telenor Pakistan’s Corporate Responsibility website. At the same time, the blood bank will be able to SMS blood donation requests to registered donors in a target area. The service is aimed at connecting potential donors and blood banks with possibly tremendous reach and speed in order to address blood demands during emergencies.

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary General PRCS Brig (R) Muhammed Illyas said, “It is extremely challenging to reach out to registered or potential donors quickly for blood donations. Moreover, donor retention in itself is difficult. There are not many approaches available to registering/reaching donors aside from conventional social networking sessions or urgent phone calls to a limited number of registered donors. We are thankful to Telenor Pakistan for extending help facilitate blood donations through an easy mobile solution. This is a good example of how the social sector and corporate sector can collaborate through technology for the benefit of the society.” He also informed the participants about the core areas of work of PRCS and hoped that PRCS and Telenor Pakistan will further strengthen their cooperation in other fields in the service of humanity.

Speaking at the occasion, Executive Vice President Corporate & Regulatory Affairs Telenor Pakistan Irfan Wahab Khan said, “As far as we know, this is the first mobile service in the Pakistani market to be customized to meet the needs of a social sector organization. We want this service to be used extensively by reputable blood banks, so that during emergencies blood could be provided to those who need it on an urgent basis. The service if taken up by such institutions has the potential to save thousands of lives.”

The service software will be given to select blood banks completely free of cost. Currently launched at Islamabad/Rawalpindi, the mobile service has the potential to be extended to major cities. Further details are provided on Telenor Pakistan’s Corporate

Aptilo Networks (www.aptilo.com), the global leader in integrated solutions for Service Management and Access Control for wireless networks including WiMAX™, metro Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi hotspots, announced that wi-tribe limited, a joint venture between Qatar Telecom (Qtel), the exclusive telecommunications service provider in the State of Qatar and A.A. Tukri Group of Companies (ATCO) of Saudi Arabia, has chosen Aptilo’sMobile WiMAX™ AAA Connectivity Service Network (CSN) platform as one of the key network components to enable services over the WiMAX networks to be deployed by wi-tribe across the Middle East and Asia Pacific, utilizing Aptilo’s access and policy control service management platform.

The first WiMAX deployment is scheduled during Q2 in Jordan. Later this year, a wi-tribe network in Pakistan will go “live” as well.

The standards-compliant Aptilo WiMAX CSN System™ is the first integrated wireless broadband data and voice services solution for standards-compliant Mobile WiMAX AAA and Service Control. The unique multi-access support allows for management of services provided over WiMAX and Wi-Fi networks from within the same platform.

The Aptilo platform also offers service providers a flexible, cost effective approach to deliver and meet their time to market and time to revenue objectives for WiMAX network installations that need support for rapid expansion.

“Aptilo has a solid track record for successful commercial wireless broadband deployments and WiMAX. Aptilo’s integrated solutions deliver proven functionality for our network and a wide variety of value-added offerings,” said Group Chief Executive Officer of wi-tribe limited, Dr Sami Hinedi. “In addition, Aptilo’s interoperability with leading WiMAX vendors means we are well poised for future growth, and to leverage new services for our customers moving forward.”

“We are pleased to be the first operation to launch within the wi-tribe group,” said wi-tribe Jordan CEO, Dr Bassam Hannoun. “Our team in Amman has been working closely with Aptilo to provide the best customer experience. Our main aim as we launch in Jordan is to cater to the needs of our potential customer base.”

“Our relationship with wi-tribe limited further solidifies Aptilo’s leadership in Mobile WiMAX, broadening our presence throughout Asia and the Middle East,” said Jan Sjonell, managing director Asia/Middle East, Aptilo Networks. “Aptilo is committed to providing our customers with the very best in WiMAX Service Management and Access Control to enable rapid deployments, and that feature exceptional stability and unmatched interoperability with other vendors in the WiMAX ecosystem. We are proud to be working with wi-tribe to enable their important and far-reaching WiMAX deployments.”