Mahmood & Shafique -Part 6
Internet Services
There were 12 million Internet users (7.2 percent of the population) by the end of 2006 (Internet World Stats, 2007). Internet penetration remains low, but the numbers are growing. Broadband access is now available in the major cities. Also, wireless broadband Internet has been introduced by the WLL (Wireless Local Loop) networks in many major cities. In January 2007, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority reported over 12 million Internet users; however, low bandwidth is a concern for most. Most Pakistani companies and government departments maintain Web sites that have further increased the demand for the Internet (Wikipedia, 2007). There are 1,898 Internet cities in Pakistan, of which 1,166 cities are in Punjab Province, 202 in Sindh Province, 420 in the North-West Frontier Province, and 110 in Baluchistan Province. PTCL has now launched the Universal Internet Number; Internet service providers can, therefore, subscribe this highly effective service and send to their customers a strong message of care and service excellence (Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited, 2007).
Rural telecom development
The telecom sector may be on the verge of expansion but it still requires governmental action for the provision of services to rural areas. Considering this, the Government of Pakistan and PTA initiated a multibillion rupee project called Universal Service Fund (USF), which will help provide funds to the telecom operators in these deprived areas. Furthermore, PTA includes the UN Development Programme, Zarai Traqiati Bank Ltd. (ZTBL) and post offices for the establishment of telecentres and public call offices. Yaseen (2006) claims that the Asia Pacific region - with its large population, growing economy and world's largest emerging telecommunication market - has a great potential to become the center of the world for information and communication technologies (ICT). To take advantage of the opportunities prevailing in the emerging information society, the Government of Pakistan is also paying attention to the development of such policies and strategies. Among the countries of South Asia, Pakistan has the most extensive Internet coverage and lowest Internet rates. However, in terms of ‘real access’ as measured by grassroots, need-based, innovative applications of ICTs, it lags behind most countries in the region. In terms of Pakistan's efforts in this arena, only SDNP's seeded Cyber Community Centres and KADO's ThreadNet (Hunza) could be cited as small examples (Rizvi, 2003). To provide the latest telecommunications and Internet facilities in rural and far-off areas, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has launched a telecenter project called ‘Rabta Ghar.’ Under this scheme, 400 telecenters will be established in the first phase, for which equipment worth Rs.50,000 each will be provided free of cost (Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, 2007).
Electronic media
Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) was established in 2002 with the charter to establish a new vision of electronic media in the private sector. PEMRA is mandated to issue licenses for the establishment and operation of broadcast or rebroadcasting stations, including FM radios and cable TV networks. During the first nine months of the fiscal year 2005-06, 31 licenses were awarded to different groups for the establishment of cable TV and FM radio in the major cities of Pakistan. PEMRA also initiated the process of awarding licenses to international standard TV stations to be operated through satellite communication for the promotion of education and recreation facilities in the country. For this purpose, 16 licenses have been issued to satellite TV operators including four educational channels. Among them, 12 satellite TV channels have started their operations. PEMRA has also granted multi-channel multi-distribution service (MMDS) license to five parties covering five major cities of Pakistan. Cable television (CTV) is a fast growing segment among the electronic media. For this purpose, 1,213 licenses have also been issued to different categories of CTV since its establishment. During the fiscal year 200-06 PEMRA issued 200 CTV licenses. It has also granted landing rights to 15 companies for the distribution of foreign satellite TV channels in Pakistan (Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority, 2006).