BaDaR
19th April 2008, 03:49
LAHORE: The auction for licences of 3rd Generation (3G) mobile phone services is planned through an open biding process and only three celIular service providers would be awarded these.
Chairman Pakistan Telecommunication Authority Major General Retd Shahzada Alam Malik has said that the process of awarding the licences would be completed by the end of this year.
He was talking to reporters at the signing ceremony of Omantel SAOG and Worldcall Telecom Limited. Ambassador of Oman to Pakistan, Mohammad Bin Said Bin Mohamed Al-Lawati was also present.
After launching of 3G services, the mobile users will be able to use Internet with high speed, make video calls and other value-added data services which is dream in Pakistan. He said that deliberations for issuing the 3G licences were almost complete.
Later, Worldcall’s CEO Salman Taseer said that it was great pleasure that Omantel SAOG and Worldcall Telecom Limited announce acquisition by Omantel of a majority stake in Worldcall Telecom Limited. Omantel is acquiring 488.8 million (65 per cent of available) shares of Worldcall. Of this, 451.2 million shares are from sponsors while 37.5 million are being purchased from the public through the securities markets. The total value of this landmark transaction is around $200 million.
He said that Worldcall was positioned in a unique way being the only true Multi Service Operator (MSO) in Pakistan telecom landscape with proven track record and established market position in various segments of its operations.
Through this acquisition, Omantel has acquired direct access to a market of 170 million with immense potential for growth in core telecom and broadband services, he remarked.
He further informed that Worldcall had licenses to operate LDI, WLL and other telecom services across Pakistan as well as rights to a nationwide long haul network. Its WLL services cover 46 cities while its distribution network, which is one of the largest, reaches 59,000 outlets in 220 cities and towns, Taseer added.
Omantel’s CEO Dr. Mohammed bin Ali Al Wohaibi said that Omantel plans to escalate existing Worldcall operations to excel in telecom offerings with further enhancement of network reach and delivery capacity targeting a rapid growth in market share. Focus of rollout will principally target broadband segment with sustained growth of voice centric services. This planned expansion coupled with initial investment would see a sizable inflow of capital into Pakistan, he added. He said the new board members for Worldcall had now been nominated.
Omantel is a publicly traded telecom company, majority owned by the government, based in Oman with diversified operations. Acquisition of majority stake in Worldcall is its first overseas venture.
Omantel acquiring 65pc stake in Worldcall for $200m (http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=107589)
Chairman Pakistan Telecommunication Authority Major General Retd Shahzada Alam Malik has said that the process of awarding the licences would be completed by the end of this year.
He was talking to reporters at the signing ceremony of Omantel SAOG and Worldcall Telecom Limited. Ambassador of Oman to Pakistan, Mohammad Bin Said Bin Mohamed Al-Lawati was also present.
After launching of 3G services, the mobile users will be able to use Internet with high speed, make video calls and other value-added data services which is dream in Pakistan. He said that deliberations for issuing the 3G licences were almost complete.
Later, Worldcall’s CEO Salman Taseer said that it was great pleasure that Omantel SAOG and Worldcall Telecom Limited announce acquisition by Omantel of a majority stake in Worldcall Telecom Limited. Omantel is acquiring 488.8 million (65 per cent of available) shares of Worldcall. Of this, 451.2 million shares are from sponsors while 37.5 million are being purchased from the public through the securities markets. The total value of this landmark transaction is around $200 million.
He said that Worldcall was positioned in a unique way being the only true Multi Service Operator (MSO) in Pakistan telecom landscape with proven track record and established market position in various segments of its operations.
Through this acquisition, Omantel has acquired direct access to a market of 170 million with immense potential for growth in core telecom and broadband services, he remarked.
He further informed that Worldcall had licenses to operate LDI, WLL and other telecom services across Pakistan as well as rights to a nationwide long haul network. Its WLL services cover 46 cities while its distribution network, which is one of the largest, reaches 59,000 outlets in 220 cities and towns, Taseer added.
Omantel’s CEO Dr. Mohammed bin Ali Al Wohaibi said that Omantel plans to escalate existing Worldcall operations to excel in telecom offerings with further enhancement of network reach and delivery capacity targeting a rapid growth in market share. Focus of rollout will principally target broadband segment with sustained growth of voice centric services. This planned expansion coupled with initial investment would see a sizable inflow of capital into Pakistan, he added. He said the new board members for Worldcall had now been nominated.
Omantel is a publicly traded telecom company, majority owned by the government, based in Oman with diversified operations. Acquisition of majority stake in Worldcall is its first overseas venture.
Omantel acquiring 65pc stake in Worldcall for $200m (http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=107589)