Zong will invest $ 1 billion in next two years as part of its network expansion plan for rolling out 3G and 4G technology across the country,’ said Niaz A. Malik, Deputy CEO of Zong while speaking with ProPakistani on the sidelines of 2nd Consumers IT and Telecom Conference on FridayNext Generation Technologies are very exclusive and expensive. However, Zong has taken the leadwhen it decided to roll out its infrastructure at a faster pace in Pakistan. Their ultimate aim is to provide qualitative services to telecom consumers of the country.
Zong has already invested heavily in the country on the licenses and its network advancement. It currently has 45 percent share in the FDI out of the total cellular sector investment, and now it will continue its investment plans to maximize penetration locations in the country.
But the government should realize the fact that in order for investment to increase, its inevitable that taxes placed on 3G and 4G technologies be removed. These extra taxes are a hurdle that is holding back enhanced data consumption by the consumers. We hope that the government will provide relief to customers who use more data for their personal and commercial usage, therefore benefiting the masses and economy of the country, he added.
Malik avoided responding to queries about Zong’s settlement of spectrum issues with PTA and its further plans about LDI and LL operations.
Speaking to the audience earlier, he said that telecom companies are not fleecing its consumers. Rather they are offering the lowest call packages in Pakistan as compared to different countries. Even international calls in Pakistan are lower than different countries which can be confirmed with Pakistanis living abroad.
Niaz said the mobile phone companies don’t operate independently without any checks or balances. But its also binding on the competent authority and government bodies such as PTA and MoIT to adopt mechanisms that measure service quality of mobile phone operators and their service charges.
Responding to objections raised earlier in the conference by a speaker, he said that packages are offered to customers based on their demands which will be continued in future as well. Telecom operators could not follow dictation of a particular school of thought that a package should be banned or continued.
He said the call drop ratio on the network of mobile companies is an issue mostly witnessed in certain under-controlled technical conditions.
He said that a consumer association should work with telecom operators to address issues of consumers. In this regard, Zong extends its support for research and knowledge sharing with any association willing to work for telecom consumers.
