As we have pledged and committed in previous years, PTCL continues to position itself as the market leader and the catalyst for change in the telecom industry of Pakistan. During the year, we managed to maintain our profitability growth despite facing many challenges. Earnings per share improved compared to last year. In fact this year, ended 30th June, 2010 has been quite exciting, eventful and monumental. I am pleased to report that we remained focused on our strategy of positioning PTCL as the leading integrated telecom company in Pakistan providing multiple solutions to the business and household market segments and extending vital services to other telecom operators in Pakistan. This year has witnessed the consolidation of PTCL as a market leader for broadband services where by we have expanded the footprints of our DSL services to more than 500 cities and towns providing connectivity of speeds ranging from 1-10 Mbps. This comes with the realizing that broadband services are now a necessity and remains our mission and mandate to take this service into every household in Pakistan. We also continued to expand the coverage of our wireless broadband ensuring that customer have access to seamless services and coverage through national roaming across major cities. Our flagship product EVO has gained significant attraction and popularity with its user- friendly and plug and play feature as seen from a consistent and high subscription. Our recent launch of EVO Nitro will give an exciting experience to our customers at a much higher speed of up to 9.3 Mbps. PTCL is the first operator in the world to launch this high speed wireless product commercially and remains the single operator to offer true 3G high speed internet services across major cities of Pakistan. In order for users to enjoy higher speed internet connectivity along with real value for money, we have had to enhance and augment all portions of our network which has now been duly completed. PTCL is the only company today which operates the largest international IP bandwidth connecting Pakistan with the rest of the world and I am pleased to announce the inauguration for the 3rd International Submarine Cable (IMEWE), we shall commence commercial services shortly. This new cable will not only bring more capacity and reliable connectivity to the country but it will also provide backup to SEA-ME-WE- 3 and SEA-ME-WE-4 ensuring that Pakistan remains connected to the information highways of the world. For our corporate customers, this year has also witnessed exciting developments whereby PTCL signed contracts with major banks in Pakistan to provide total connectivity and solutions covering hundreds of branches spread throughout the country. We have also educational institutions offering high speed internet accesses to the students all across Pakistan. Additionally, PTCL has introduced new services intended to serve the business community – the Data Centers in Karachi and Lahore have been constructed according to the highest standards and certifications ensuring continuous and secure operations for data hosting operations. Telepresence studios have been launch to high quality audio visual conferencing facilities between major cities in Pakistan. To facilitate end to end managed services we have established two international Points of Presence (PoP) in Singapore and in Amsterdam providing managed VPN services to cooperate customers. PTCL remains the carriers‟ carrier of choice for many operators in Pakistan and we continue to offer vital bandwidth services to innumerable licensed operators in the country using fibre optic satellite services covering all parts of Pakistan. At PTCL, we remain highly conscious of the fact that our success and growth can only come from satisfied customers. It remains our challenge to provide friendly, seamless and prompt customer service. To this end, we endeavored to embark on several projects intended to bring PTCL closer to its customers. We continued to refine our processes and systems and to provide training to all our representatives in the field or in our various customer contact shops to ensure swift and timely response. Our emphasis has been on shortening cycles for service provision, facilitating bill payments and making our services readily available to our customers through wider distribution points. We realize that customer satisfaction is a continuous, never ending process and we shall continue with our efforts to interact with our customers to ensure that the services we roll out measure to their full expectation and satisfaction. With our multiple and dynamic products and services, our robust, resilient and agile network and our sound financial situation, we strongly believe that PTCL is poised to grow and remain the leading and dominant integrated telecom service provider of choice for customers throughout Pakistan. I take this opportunity to thank the Government, Etisalat Group, Board of Directors and all my fellow colleagues for their continued patronage, guidance and support.
Best Wishes Walid Irshaid President & CEO
Vision
To be the leading Information and Communication Technology Service Provider in the region by achieving customer satisfaction and maximizing shareholders' value'.
The future is unfolding around us. In times to come, we will be the link that allows global communication. We are striving towards mobilizing the world for the future. By becoming partners in innovation, we are ready to shape a future that offers telecom services that bring us closer.
Mission
To achieve our vision by having:
An organizational environment that fosters professionalism, motivation and quality An environment that is cost effective and quality conscious Services that are based on the most optimum technology "Quality" and "Time" conscious customer service Sustained growth in earnings and profitability
Core Values
Professional Integrity Customer Satisfaction Teamwork Company Loyalty Board of Directors
Mr. Saeed Ahmad Khan Chairman PTCL Board
Mr. Abdulrahim Abdulla Abdulrahim Al Nooryani
Member PTCL Board
Dr. Waqar Masood Khan
Member PTCL Board
Mr. Abdulaziz Ahmed Saleh Ahmed Al Sawaleh
Member PTCL Board
Mr. Jamil Ahmed Khan
Member PTCL Board
Dr. Syed Ismail Shah
Member PTCL Board
Mr. Fadhil Mohamed Erhama Al Ansari
Member PTCL Board
Mr. Abdulaziz Hamad Omran Taryam
Member PTCL Board
Dr. Ahmed Al Jarwan
Member PTCL Board
Ms. Farah Qamar
Company Secretary PTCL Corporate Responsibility
PTCL as a socially aware and responsible entity is determined to do its utmost in furthering worthy causes that contribute to the lives of individuals and help better the standards of society as a whole.
PTCL employees donate One-Day salary for IDPs
Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited employees have contributed their one day salary that amounts Rs. 20 million for the support of internally displaced people of Swat and other affected areas. CEO and President of PTCL Mr. Walid Irshaid called on Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani at PM‟s House and presented him a cheque of Rs. 20 million on behalf of PTCL employees for PM‟s Special Fund for the Relief of Victims of Terrorism. While thanking PTCL employees for their generous contribution and appreciating their willingness to help IDPs, Mr. Waild Irshaid said that PTCL employees have exhibited their profound sense of sharing and empathy on this occasion. This highly speaks of the strong commitment of our employees with this national cause.” “Contribution from our employees during these days specially donating one day salary for IDPs in these testing times shall be greatly helpful in mitigating IDPs miseries and will go a long way in their rehabilitation process.
Donation to SOS Villages
PTCL keeping with its healthy tradition of supporting non-governmental organizations recently donated a sum of Rs.2.5 million to the SOS Villages. As most people would be aware, SOS is an organization that looks after the well-being and education of orphans and the destitute.
Last year, PTCL organized a special event at the SOS Village Rawalpindi, which the then Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Shaukat Aziz, attended. He handed over a cheque of Rs.2.5 million, donated by PTCL for this noble cause, to the SOS Children‟s Village.
Scholarships for Persons with Disabilities
Another recent CSR initiative taken by PTCL was announced at the World Telecommunication Day held on May 17, 2008. This year the worldwide theme for the Day was “Connecting Persons with Disabilities.” To raise awareness of this theme and support initiates focusing on less privileged persons, PTCL chose to become the lead sponsor of the World Telecom Day event in Islamabad contributing PKR 6.8 Million.
During his address at the event, PTCL‟s President/CEO, Mr. Walid Irshaid announced five academic scholarships per year for persons with disabilities so that they could pursue their career of choice by obtaining higher education at any university with Pakistan. PTCL would bear the full tuition costs and living expenses of those awarded these scholarships. PKR 1.5Million was announced focusing on the education of the special people
Collaboration with Universal Service Fund (USF)
The Universal Service Fund (USF) and PTCL have entered in a contract to provide basic telephony and data services to the population in the yet un-served areas of Baluchistan districts of Pishin, Killa Abdullah and Quetta. PTCL is making consistent efforts to enhance Pakistan‟s capacity to develop and produce a globally competitive telecom sector and industry.
Making a determined effort develop Pishin, a far flung area of Baluchistan is a clear manifestation of PTCL‟s resolve to bridge the digital divide. With the support of USF, PTCL is set to extend the benefits of its ubiquitous network coverage to the under-served communities in the un-served areas. PTCL is contributing Rs. 149 million to this endeavor in an effort to bring information and communication technology to the remotest areas. The total cost of the project is PKR 2000 Million out of which PTCL contribution is PKR 1275 Million while USFCo contribution is PKR 725 Million.
Thus, PTCL, as a socially responsible corporate entity, has been pursuing different social causes touching on areas of culture, sports, music, environment and general welfare by supporting different initiatives. As such, PTCL‟s CSR activities and new ventures are warmly welcomed.
Donation to Earthquake victims in Baluchistan
Earthquake struck the western telecom region Quetta leaving terrifying effects in the region. Mr. Walid Irshaid President & CEO PTCL donated Rs.10 Million for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the area.
Donation to Benazir Income Support Program
Mr.Walid Irshaid President & CEO PTCL donated Rs.10 Million to the Benazir Income Support Program. This program directly focuses on the poor populace of Pakistan.
Sponsoring Event at LUMS
PTCL was the lead sponsor for Synergies 2008; the 1st ever Business School Competition in Pakistan organized by Lahore University of Management Sciences costing PKR 1 Million.
PTCL President Mr. Walid Irshaid announces Rs 10 Million for National Press Club Islamabad The president of PTCL, Walid Irshaid has said that PTCL was still one of the most profitable National organizations, despite all economic and financial crisis and back draws. Addressing the inaugural of the new building, alongside president NPC (National press Club), Tariq Chaudhry, general secretary Afzal Butt, and other luminaries, including SEVP PTCL Sikandar Naqi, EVP Ali Qadir Gilani. Walid Irshaid expressed the company's willingness and readiness to tackle any impending challenges with élan and preparedness. Mr. Walid Irshaid also assured press club about his full cooperation and assistance, and during the lunch hosted in his honor by NPC also announced a grant of Rs. 10 million, DSL Internet services, IPTV and other facilities He said that PTCL would continue to work for betterment of media in Pakistan, and also lauded media services rendered during the last few years
PTCL Gets Environment Friendly
The Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has decided to introduce a new bill format for its customers, effective February 2009. This decision was taken to ensure that PTCL stir towards adopting environmental-friendly and customer- friendly policies inline with the government of Pakistan's efforts, which recommends companies and institutions to go green. This initiative of PTCL also coincides with the Government‟s decision to celebrate 2009 as the "Environment Year". PTCL's decision to reduce the number of billing pages is an environment friendly initiative and is a way forward towards becoming a paperless enterprise. According to Dr. Sadik Al-Jadir, SEVP Commercial PTCL, preceding bill format comprising multiple pages, would be replaced with a new one-page bill format, thus packing all the essential billing details on a single page. This single page bill format would help save, at least 12 million papers every month that are being used for printing the billing details. To facilitate the customers, itemized billing details would remain obtainable and accessible. Customers would be able to obtain their itemized billing details by visiting any customer service centre of PTCL and would also be able to access essential billing details through IVR by dialing 1200. PTCL Call center is also expected to start taking orders from customers for their itemized billing details. Subsequently, these details would be delivered to the customers through courier within a certain time frame. Dr. Sadik said, “PTCL is determined to improve and build good relationship with its customers by providing novel and superior telecom products and services to its valued customers and is striving hard to meet their expectations.”
PTCL, CISCO and NUST to establish Center of Excellence for Internet Technologies
Islamabad: Under the banner of PTCL, CISCO and NUST, Center of Excellence for Internet Technologies is being established at NUST SEECS, Islamabad. The Center – a brainchild of Mr Walid Irshaid, President and CEO, PTCL - is to be set up in the state of the art. An MOU to this effect was signed yesterday by the three parties, with the Chief Guest being Dr Ata ur Rahman, Chairman HEC. The occasion was also graced by high officials from public sector, academia and industrial organizations. The ceremony was a huge success and PTCL, CISCO and NUST‟s leading role in taking up new challenges to improve the quality of IT education in Pakistan was greatly lauded by members of academia, industry and the media present at the ceremony.
Mr Sikander Naqi Executive Vice President Corporate Development speaking on the occasion said that by setting up such a Center, PTCL will be able to benefit from world class research that will be of immense value to them. In addition, the human resources that will be developed at this Center will be able to export their skills and expertise to the region and beyond. This will spur growth in the Pakistani IT sector, and will contribute towards enhancing the quality and quantity of exportable IT related skills to the global marketplace.
The Center, staffed by researchers from NUST, will work closely with Cisco engineers in the US who will provide the thematic direction of the joint research. The Center‟s research is to be funded by the National ICT R&D fund. Dr. Qasim Sheikh, the CEO of ICT R&D fund, stated that his organization is pleased that PTCL, NUST and CISCO are forming a joint research group that will work on significant problems that are relevant to Pakistan. A research project under similar arrangements, funded by the National ICT R&D Fund, is currently underway with Cisco scientists and Pakistani researchers collaborating to develop open source tools for performance monitoring of network traffic. The output of this work has already generated An application for a US patent is being filed as a result of the work carried out during the course of that research. In addition to its research ambitions, the Center will also be providing high quality professional training courses to PTCL and other telecom companies. Company Profile
PTCL is all set to redefine the established boundaries of the telecommunication market and is shifting the productivity frontier to new heights. Today, for millions of people, we demand instant access to new products and ideas. More importantly we want them for their better living standards with increased values in this ever-shrinking globe of ours. We are setting free the spirit of innovation. PTCL is going to be your first choice in the future as well, just as it has been over the past six decades.
Business & Corporate Users:
For clear communication the first choice of business circles is PTCL telephone for local, nationwide and international calling. Today businesses can have 10-100 lines with modern day services to meet their needs. Now you get options like Caller-ID, call-forwarding, call-waiting, Call Barring, to name a few.
Other business specific services include:
0800-Toll free number, 0900-Preminum rate services, VPN-Virtual Private Network, Audio Conference Service, Digital Cross Connect (DXX), ISDN (Policy), Teleplus (ISDN/BRI), Digital Phone Facilities/ Modification Charges, UAN, UIN.
Nationwide Infrastructure:
We have the largest Copper infrastructure spread over every city, town and village of Pakistan with over million installed lines. The network has over 6 million PSTN lines installed across Pakistan with more than 3 million working. Furthermore installed capacity of broadband is more than 0.6 million ports spread across 605 cities and town of the country
National Long-haul Core Network:
We have over 10,400 km fully redundant, fiber optics DWDM backbone network. It connects over 840 cities and towns with 270G bandwidth.
Carriers Services
As carriers-carrier, we provide the core infrastructure services to the cellular, LDIs, Local Loop operators, ISPs, Call Centers and payphone operators.
We provide all carrier services, right from inter-connects and telehousing to DPLC and IPLC connectivity. Our interconnect services are provided from our 3200 exchange locations that connect your carriers networks domestically, in addition to providing IPLC bandwidths to connect you internationally through our four international gateways and SEA-ME-WE3 and SEA-ME-WE4 international submarine, also IMWE submarine cable will be added by the end of the year.
Furthermore to provide connectivity to operators in the extreme remote areas of the country, PTCL launched its state of the art satellite service (Skylink). PTCL satellite service (Skylink) is provided using the Intelsat Satellite System, an undisputed leader in satellite communications.
White Label Services:
PTCL customers can now provide uninterrupted services to their clients without undertaking large scale investment in infrastructure or developing expertise in their own network. PTCL White Label Services are focused on speed and simplicity at minimal capex. This will enable our customer to offer their own branded WLL, DSL etc to customers nationally, together with an array of key support services.
EVO Wireless Broadband
PTCL EVO 3G Wireless Broadband is Pakistan‟s fastest wireless internet which offers its customers – “superior 3G internet experience”. EVO Wireless Broadband is enabling the wireless broadband revolution in Pakistan with flexibility to roam freely like never before. PTCL EVO has revolutionized the way people connect to the internet by offering true mobility. PTCL EVO gives its customers the advantage of nationwide roaming with seamless internet connectivity across Pakistan. The coverage of EVO is over 100 cities as EVO customers can enjoy CDMA-1X data rates of up to 153.6 Kbps at more than 1000 destinations across Pakistan.
The portable, small & stylish EVO USB device is a multipurpose device which not only delivers fastest wireless internet but can also be used for Voice Calls by inserting a Vfone SIM and for data storage by inserting a standard Micro SD Card
PTCL Introduced EVO 3G Nitro in Pakistan; “The World‟s first & most cutting edge EV-DO Rev.B commercial network”. PTCL is the first operator in the world to commercially launch EV-DO Rev.B products which offer blazing fast speeds of up to 9.3 MBPS.
EVO 3G Nitro is all set to meet the next-generation‟s need for ultimate speed & superior performance. It is the next step in Evolution of the Wireless Broadband Revolution!
Whether it is streaming High Definition video or music, conducting a video conference while simultaneously browsing the Internet or uploading multimedia content, in the Nitro Universe everything happens at the speed of light
Broadband Pakistan
PTCL Broadband is the largest and the fastest growing Broadband service in Pakistan. In less than three years of it launch, PTCL has acquired approximately 730,000 Broadband customers in over 605 cities and towns across Pakistan, leading the proliferation and awareness of Broadband services across Pakistan.
With its entry in this market segment, PTCL opened up a broadband culture in Pakistan, where till a couple of years back there was very little awareness in the country about broadband & high speed internet services. PTCL made the broadband technology affordable by lowering the barriers to entry, by geographically bringing the service within the reach of a common user across Pakistan and by continuous improvements in customer care for the service. Unique offers that makes PTCL‟s Broadband unmatchable are special packages for the student segment, FREE modem and installation, Availability of Wi-Fi Modems, FREE dial up service for its Broadband customers and FREE access to movies, music, classical Pakistani dramas, cricket matches, online gaming, educational and religious content on PTCL‟s entertainment portal „BUZZ‟, (the access to PTCL Buzz & Gaming lounge is exclusive to PTCL Broadband subscribers). PTCL also offers multiple FREE personalized e-mail accounts exclusively to its broadband users. In addition, PTCL recently doubled its broadband speed for all its existing and new customers at the same price, making 1 MB as its minimum offered speed. For a connection you simply dial 0800 8 0800 or visit www.ptcl.com.pk
IPTV Service (Smart TV):
PTCL SMART TV Using its state of the art Broadband network, PTCL entered the media sector on 14th August 2008, by launching a digital interactive television service for the first time in Pakistan. Employing the IPTV (Internet Protocol TV) technology, PTCL brought Pakistan in the list of a few countries across the globe that offer this state of the art interactive TV service to its subscribers.
Branded under „PTCL Smart Line‟, the service includes Interactive Television, Broadband and voice telephony all at the same time on PTCL‟s telephone line. Besides offering the highest digital quality TV picture, the most revolutionary section of this offering is the ability to „rewind‟ and „pause‟ live TV channels through TSTV ( Time Shift Television) feature, the ability to block / unblock any TV channel for parental lock and the ability to search through video on demand content. Currently PTCL Smart TV offers its viewers 125 live channels and over 500 Movie titles through its Videoon Demand service‟. The service is available in 16 cities including Karachi - Lahore - Islamabad - Rawalpindi - Gujranwala - Faisalabad - Peshawar - Sialkot - Multan - Sargodha - Jehlum - Wah Cantt - Taxila - Hyderabad - Abbotaba and Sukkur however it is planned to be expanded to all the major cities and towns across Pakistan during the year 2010
Pak Internet Exchange:
It is the only IP enabled network with 40 (number increase) point-of-presences (POP) in 26 cities. The existing 16G active bandwidth is used for internet, data, video and video-conferencing services and for voice of LDI. All PTCL Broadband users, narrow band users, corporates, mobile operators, and ISP are connected to this network.
V-fone:
PTCL also continues to be the largest CDMA operator in the country with approximately 1.25 million V- fone customers. It offers fixed wireless telephone for your homes & business. With CDMA2000 1X technology, ours is the largest WLL network with a capacity of 2.6M, covering over 10,000 urban & rural areas. The network is already enabled for Voice, Dialup-Internet access (153.6kbps) and EVDO Broadband. V-fone can be bought from our franchises or by dialing 1236 and it will be delivered within 48-72 hours.
International Network
SEAMEWE-3 Submarine Cable System:
PTCL is a member of SEAMEWE 3 Cable Consortium with its Cable Landing Station at Karachi. SMW-3 cable connects 39 cable landing stations in 33 countries and four continents. SMW-3 is the longest system of the world with a total length of 39,000 Km. SMW-4 Submarine Cable System:
SMW-4 is a relatively new submarine cable system (inaugurated in December 2005) and links 14 countries with 16 landing stations across Europe, Middle East and Asia. The system is using Terabit DWDM technology to achieve. The link between any two destinations is STM-1. SMW-4 is designed for relatively higher traffic volumes.
I ME WE cable details and Status with Map:
IMEWE Submarine Cable is a Tera bit capacity submarine cable system connecting India to Western Europe through Middle East. The Cable system is 13,000 km long with 10 landing points in 8 countries.
Satellite Communication:
PTCL has Intelsat Standard Earth Stations near Karachi and Islamabad. These installations provide the diversity for International voice connectivity and also work as Hub for domestic satellite users. There are four Intelsat Standard B Earth Stations at Islamabad, Gilgit, Skardu and Gwadar. Corporate Information
Management
Walid Irshaid President & Chief Executive Officer
Muhammad Nehmatullah Toor S.E.V.P (Finance) / Chief Financial Officer(C.F.O)
Mohammad Nasrullah Chief Technical Officer (C.T.O)
Syed Mazhar Hussain S.E.V.P (Human Resource)
Hamid Farooq S.E.V.P (Business Development)
Javed Mushtaq C.I.O
Sikandar Naqi S.E.V.P (Corporate Development)
Naveed Saeed S.E.V.P (Commercial)
Furqan Habib Qureshi S.E.V.P (Business Zone South) Abdullah Yousef S.E.V.P (Special Projects)
Jamal Abdalla Salim Hussain Al Suwaidi S.E.V.P (Business Zone Central)
Farah Qamar Company Secretary
Legal Affairs
Zahida Awan Ghulam Mustafa
Bankers
Allied Bank Limited Askari Bank Limited Bank Alfalah Limited Bank Al Habib Limited The Bank of Punjab Citibank. N.A Dubai Islamic Bank Faysal Bank Limited Habib Metropolitan Bank Limited MCB Bank Limited Meezan Bank Limited National Bank of Pakistan NIB Bank Limited Royal Bank of Scotland Silkbank Limited SME Bank Limited Standard Chartered Bank (Pakistan) Limited United Bank Limited
Registered Office PTCL Headquarters,
Block-E, Sector G-8/4,
Islamabad-44000, Pakistan.
Tel: +92-51-2263732 & 34
Fax: +92-51-2263733
E-mail:[email protected]
Web: www.ptcl.com.pk
Auditors
A.F. Ferguson & Co. Chartered Accountants Ernst & Young Ford Rhodes Sidat Hyder, Chartered Accountants
Share Registrar
M/S FAMCO Associates (Pvt.) Limited Ground Floor, State Life Building 1-A I . I Chundrigar Road Karachi 74000 Tel: +92-21-2422344, 2467406 Fax: +92-21-2428310 Subsidiaries
Ufone
Ufone (Pakistan Telecom Mobile Ltd) a wholly-owned subsidiary of PTCL commenced its operations on 29th January 2001 as a GSM 900 service provider. Since the outset, it has expanded its coverage and customer base at a rapid pace and established itself as one of the leading cellular service providers in Pakistan. Ufone is now considered to be one of the most active, aggressive and innovative players in the mobile sector of Pakistan. The growth of the cellular industry is a direct result of the successful implementation of the telecom deregulation and cellular mobile policy by the Ministry of IT and Telecommunications (MOIT&T) and the support, guidance and timely enforcement of regulatory process by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
Privatization
The growth of the cellular sector in Pakistan can also be attributable to good governance policies of the government of Pakistan and the Privatization Commission. In April 2006, Emirates Telecommunication Corporation, which is commonly known as Etisalat, has assumed management control of Pakistan Telecommunication Corporation Ltd – part of the $2.6bn deal to buy a 26% stake in PTCL. The successful privatization of PTCL, and consequently Ufone, is hailed as ushering in a new era for telecommunications in Pakistan.
Now, under the management of Etisalat, Ufone will concentrate on customer needs and benefits and is more determined than ever to be the leading cellular player in the market. Ufone has been known for providing superb propositions and quality service to its customers. With the new expected investment, Ufone can now aggressively expand its network coverage.
Key Accomplishments
Ufone has always played a pivotal role in the development of the cellular market in Pakistan. For the most part, it has been a step ahead in introducing innovative products to the market. Ufone was a pioneer in launching the GPRS services and Multi-media Messaging Service (MMS) in Pakistan, and lead the way in introducing GPRS international roaming and prepaid international roaming for these services in the Pakistani market.
Performance As mobile users in the country have reached over 28 million at a very rapid pace, Ufone has maintained itself as the 2nd largest cellular operator in Pakistan with a subscriber base of around 6.5 million and a market share of nearly 25%. Ufone has seen a subscriber growth rate of over 200% in the last year, and since the start of 2005 Ufone added nearly 5 million subscribers onto its network. A remarkable achievement indeed, especially considering the fact that two new international players also entered into the market in 2005. Subsequently the growth in subscriber base caused a healthy trend in revenues which have doubled.
Brand
While keeping its tradition of being the trend setter in the industry, Ufone changed the image of mobile phones from a luxury only affordable by the elite, to a necessity affordable by the common man. Since its inception, Ufone has positioned its brand for masses. In keeping with the upcoming competition and market dynamics, Ufone increased its focus on the youth segment (which comprises 50% of the population), with the Prepay brand. By designing market focused products, Ufone‟s brand team launched aggressive campaigns, which further increased the brand equity. The new brand image gained huge popularity amongst the targeted market. A recent marketing survey conducted by a prominent marketing research company showed that Ufone has considerably increased its brand visibility and image. Ufone‟s Prepay brand is now considered to be one of the most favored brands by the youth market and is followed by other mobile operators launching their respective brands for the youth market.
International Coverage
Ufone provides International Roaming facility with more than 150 international operators across 79 countries. Ufone has GPRS roaming agreements with several international operators and also provides prepaid roaming facility to selective destinations.
Customer Service
Ufone is proud to have an efficient and friendly customer service through 21 company-owned Sales & Customer Service Centers and nearly 250 franchisees across the country. The outlets are able to service the customers with innovative solutions, and are empowered with Web based franchise management systems. Ufone is poised to face the ever increasing challenges of the market and is confident it will attract new customers. It has the ability to retain its existing customer base with a high level of customer satisfaction via optimum network service and a 24 hour call center facility.
Network Coverage
Ufone has always believed in a solid commitment to growth, security and reliability. Therefore, Ufone has always balanced its expansion efforts and quality of service. With a total current investment of $400 Million, Ufone has network coverage in more than 260 cities and towns and across all major highways of the country. Ufone has been instrumental in the growth of the cellular market in Pakistan. It is a company committed to excellence. Under the new vision of Etisalat and with the support and collaboration of its employees and vendors, Ufone aspires to be the best in the market by offering customer focused products and a quality service and sales network.
MAXCOM
PTCL acquired Maskatiya Communication Company (Pvt) Limited (MAXCOM) during the year 2009- 2010. MAXCOM is an internet service provider operating in Karachi and some parts of Hyderabad. Its customer base is around 6,000 subscribers. The 100% shareholding of MAXCOM has been transferred in PTCL‟s name. Because of the acquisition, MAXCOM customers are now eligible to enjoy superior PTCL broadband and other products and services.