Telecoms, internet in Pakistan

Disturbing news, mainly because there are no details: “The cabinet, in order to sanction the telecom deregulation policy and cellular policy, approved amendments in the Pakistan Telecommunications Reorganisation Act 1996″.

Ok, so now we have products, we have voice connections. Warid is here and it is GOOD!

[1] Pricing. Excellent pricing. Warid has done its home work and presented a well thought out product. Its gone for low price and low cost distribution. Looks like they understand what the Pakistan market is about.

[2] Its franchise shops are small - they will be able to survive in the cut throat market. Mobile phones are no longer a high price, high status product. They are for every one.

[3] 30 second billing. Bad. Bad, Warid. This is only for Warid to Warid calls, something that is not made too clear.

[4] Quality. Quality is currently OK. Lets see how it goes.

Comparing to Telenor:
Telenor shops are big and impressive, but will cost a very large amount to maintain. The Telenor product is also quite confused - they are trying to appeal to the low cost market by offering unlimited validity and Rs25 recharging but projecting a high quality image. Its not going to work.

Well at least they have a website up, even if it doesn’t have any content.

Wateen Telecom is a sister concern of Warid Telecom. Wateen is setting up a nationwide optic fibre network in Pakistan of about 5000 kms. This will provide a backbone for Warid Telecoms GSM network and hopefully will also be available to other telecom companies and ISPs.

An especially important point to note is that the network seems to include links to Afghanistan, Iran, UAE and also India.

Links:

Warid Telecom signs five agreements
Abu Dhabi Group to increase investment in Pakistan
Huawei signs contract with Pakistan’s mobile operator

Warid claims to have launched its service. There are articles in the press, parties in Islamabad and invitations to President House. However there is no tarrif announcement, I don’t see any dealers in Karachi.
So there is no price, no place, no product, just promotion.

Vapourware.