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Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has finally decided to examine the validity of a free dial-up service recently introduced by PTCL. PTA Chairman, on complaint of ISPs, has directed the authority to look into the matter.
PTCL has a long history of feuds with ISPs and is proving detrimental to the notion of level playing field. The monopoly and control over bandwidth provides the telecom granddaddy with an easy opportunity to manipulate the Internet and telephony markets.
The aforementioned package, titled Free Internet for All, offers free dial-up internet from 10pm to 7am and also offers up to 100 free hours from 7am to 10pm. ISPs, on the other hand, can’t afford to offer such type of ‘charity’ as it would be a business disaster for them – buying bandwidth in thousands of dollars and distributing for free. As is the case with other cases of PTCL high-handedness, PTA will resolve this issue in a few days but the solution will only be temporary. We have seen such cases in the past too. As long as PTCL has the controlling stake in Pakistan’s telecom industry, ISPs will suffer.
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October 29th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
I think that this is a Positive step from PTCL and Other ISP’s should also do the same or similar steps to promote the internet services in Pakistan.
Most of the ISP’s Bandwith is NOT in use at night time after 2 am, yet they are still paying for this bandwidth, and if they give it out for free, it will not really cost them anything.
PTCL is probably making money on the corporate sector that is why it can afford to give the internet away after 10 pm as a corporate customer will not use it, only a personal will at that hour.
October 29th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Only losers will be consumers if PTCL decides to remove this package.
November 3rd, 2008 at 7:36 pm
The best dial-up service I have encountered thus far is SMS4NET by Warid & WOL. Even though it is dial-up, it is uninterrupted and gives one a ‘anytime, anywhere’ feeling. Even though it is not free, but it is totally worth the money spent.
February 20th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
WHAT IF CALL CHARGES ARE ALSO FREE. AFTERALL FREE MEANS FREE. IN THESE TOUGH DAYS LET IT BE FREE FREE AND FREE.
WHAT IS THE POSITION BTW
July 3rd, 2009 at 8:55 am
Well, PTA would be right to look into the matter because ISPs like LINKdotNET kept it clear for their customers that the ‘free’ dialup service will carry a rs.2/20 mins pulse charge whereas PTCL didn’t declare such thing yet they were still charging. I am a student and I can’t afford any hidden charges so I prefer LDN dialup service.