Only NADRA will have access to mobile firms’ data: PTA

Saturday, January 31, 2009

By Jawwad Rizvi

LAHORE: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) will not give access to the database of cellular operators to anyone. Rather, it will ask the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to verify it.PTA Chairman Dr Mohammed Yaseen said under the new mobile SIM activation system the operators would verify the data of the applicant from NADRA’s database before activating it. He rejected the impression that the new system was being launched on the instructions of some external forces.“The new system would not mean disclosure of personal data rather it would help strengthen security and service as well. Every subscriber will be provided ‘user guidance’ and activation would be possible after his identification,” he added.Dr Yaseen was speaking after inaugurating the newly established Mobilink Call Centre here on Friday. Only four media persons of different organisations were present as the PTA had not invited the media due to undisclosed reasons.However, Dr Yaseen expressed satisfaction over measures taken by cellular service providers upon PTA’s request to implement the new SIM issuance system with effect from February 1. “All arrangements made by the cellular operators are up to the standards set by the PTA,” he added.He said the new system is being adopted in view of the prevailing security situation, which would prove fruitful in coming days. “Now no SIM will be activated without verification of the subscriber from the National Database Registration Authority (NADRA).”Responding to a query, Dr Yaseen said the PTA had blocked some one million unregistered SIMs. Talking about the negative growth as mentioned in PTA’s first half report, he said Pakistan is also affected by the global financial crunch. “Pakistan is not out of the global credit crunch arena but the impact is not severe in the country,” he said, hoping that Pakistan would soon be out of this problem.He also said the PTA, in collaboration with mobile phone companies, is launching value-added services for the consumers. These value added services will be helpful for the operators to improve their annual revenue per unit (ARPU). About the introduction of 3G, he said this system provides quality and value-added services which of course would be provided to people across the country.On the occasion, Mobilink Chief Executive Officer Rashid Khan apprised the PTA chief of the measures taken in line with the Authority’s instructions and said Mobilink is fully prepared to ensure that all SIMs sold by the company from February 1 are verified and issued as per PTA’s guidelines.He said Mobilink has taken all necessary steps to make sure that SIMs sold by the company February 1 onwards, are activated after verification from NADRA. “Our sales channel, including franchises and retailer network are also aligned to ensure full compliance and seamless execution as per the new PTA regime.”All SIMs issued under the new regime will be inactive, that is, the user will not be able to make or receive calls till they are activated. Upon purchase of a SIM, users can dial 789, which is the uniform number for all operators, to connect to their respective operator’s call centre. Verified SIMs will be activated within 30 minutes from the time of request.