Mobilink Posts Stable Q4 2011

Mobilink has posted a YoY revenue growth of 4 percent in fourth quarter 2011 to reach Rs. 25 billion, up from Rs. 23.9 billion during same period last year.

Mobilink posted revenues of Rs. 135.6 billion during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, that is 5 percent up from 129.2 billion in year 2010, despite decreased ARPU but mainly derived from higher maintenance charges on card reloads.

According to full Year Earnings Release EBITDA increased by 10 percent to PKR 10.4 billion and EBITDA margin improved to 41.7 percent from 39.4 percent a year earlier. EBTIDA was positively impacted by higher revenues and declining cost of sales.

Group’s financial report said that Mobilink grew its customers by 8 percent in 2011 to reach 34,213,552 subscribers by year end.

Capex went up 128 percent year-on-year to USD 109 million due to the continued focus on network and IT development.

Check below tables for financial and operational stats for Mobilink:

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IT Industry Tops Pakistan100 Company Index

Pakistan’s IT industry has been showing a tremendous performance in terms of fastest business expansion, revenues growth and employment generation in the short period of time.

This is evident as number of companies offering software services and products, computer networking and development solutions are leading the #Pakistan100 business index.

These companies have gained a limelight and secured positions in recently announced#Pakistan100 index of AllWorldNetwork for year 2012 showing high revenue growth potential with constant success and recognitions at global platforms in the recent years.

Software Services and Products

According to the research report released by AllWorldNetwork, there are 12 companies categorized under software services and products that have been listed and ranked in #Pakistan100.

The software companies have generated total revenue of US $46.491 million in last year and secured sixth position in terms of turnover among different other sectors.

The fastest growing IT companies were:

• Arbisoft (Pvt) Limited with 385 percent growth;
• Expert System with 148 percent growth;
• Tenpearls with 126 percent growth

Computer Networking and Software

There were four emerging companies in this sector with total turnover reached at US$19.64 million registered in 2010.

The companies naming Confiz Solutions with 90 percent growth; Mushko Electronic with 40 percent growth; Mustang Security Services with 28 percent growth and Ideal Distribution line with 10 percent growth secured top positions in the category for year in 2008-10.

High-Tech and Telecommunication Sector

There were four companies qualified in the #Pakistan100 business index including i2c with 217 percent growth; Nayatel with 173 percent growth; Multilynx with 76 percent growth and Corvit Networks with 14 percent growth in 2008-10.

The overall revenues of these companies stood at US $41.06 million during last year, with constant growth in revenues and operations forecast in the next two years.

E-Commerce and Web services

There are four companies indexed in the #Pakistan100 which are expected to show outstanding growth in the present year.

These prominent companies are Jaangda Agencies, A2Z creators, Bramerz and Webiz Media. The overall turnover was registered at US$ 6.92 million in previous year.

These companies have continued to impart a remarkable contribution in the economy with introduced advanced solutions and applications in services and different business. The companies have not only created direct and indirect jobs but also allied businesses, shaping growth and trends in the market as emerging potential companies in the country.

Other IT Companies in #Pakistan100 Ranking:

• Rozee.PK secured 12 position in overall ranking under the category of Recruitment and Training. Rozee’s growth rate was recorded at 304 percent during last one year.
• Folio2 stood 17th in the #Pakistan100 ranking in the category “Professional, Scientific and Tech Services”
• Tradekey was ranking 31st in over all ranking under the category of “Professional, Scientific and Tech Services”

You might also like to view this research report prepared for #Pakistan100 companies(PDF file – 928 KB)

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PTA Improves Ranking in OICCI Perception Survey

The multinational companies and foreign investors have improved the ranking of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) from nine to six position in the past two years for its cooperation and supportive role for the businesses.

Overseas Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) recently revealed the results of its perception survey based on its member companies’ feedback saying the telecom authority is supportive to foreign investors in dealing affairs of telephony utility.

The views expressed about PTA are related to multinational companies of different sectors however, foreign companies of IT and Telecom sectors were less interested to participate in the perception survey.

But plans and concerns of IT and Telecom companies’ are almost similar with multinational companies of different sectors, which are positive investment plans in the next two to five years despite issues of security, access to energy and governance.

PTA is one of the most active regulators in the country which has shown tremendous performance in the past one decade keeping the interest of consumers on priority and maximum facilitation to investors.

Despite all of criticism, it has taken some strict actions against telecom companies involved in violation of rules of business and infringement of consumers rights.

In 2011, Pakistan topped in Asia Pacific for having best telecom regulatory environmentby LirneAsia, an ICT policy and regulation think tank.

At present, PTCL, Mobilink and Telenor are the member companies of OICCI in the telecom sector.

In IT sector, Hewlett Packard, Teredata Global Consulting, Teradata Pakistan, TPL Holdings TRG Pakistan and UNISYS Pakistan are members of overseas chamber.

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Etisalat to Deduct $73 Million for Properties to Settle $800 Million Dispute with GoP

Etisalat and Government of Pakistan are soon to resolve the long pending payment dispute of $800 million, reported Khaleej Times, citing Dr. Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, advisor to Pakistan’s prime minister on textile and chairman of Pak-UAE Business Council.

Paper said that the resolution involves a mechanism agreed by both the parties, under which Etisalat will deduct the market price of those properties that Pakistan has failed to transfer.

“We proposed an out of the box solution to this longstanding dispute and hopefully the issue will be settled soon,” stated Dr. Mirza in an interview with paper.

Elaborating, Dr. Baig said the government of Pakistan was unable to transfer about 136 properties to PTCL due to encroachments and legal cases. “Now, we have evaluated the market price of the disputed properties and this amount will be deducted from the pending final payment of the $2.6 billion deal signed in 2006,” he said.

“There is still a difference of opinion on evaluated market price of the disputed properties. The UAE side will soon submit its report and the issue will be resolved within weeks,” he added.

This news surfaced only days after State Bank of Pakistan warned of financial instability if Government of Pakistan fails to raise funds. Pakistan is eyeing $800 million from Etisalat and another $ 1 billion from 3G auction to save its credit situation.

It is not the first time that Pakistani officials have hinted a resolution of pending payment dispute. For example, Mr. Waqar Ahmed Khan, Pakistan’s minister of privatization was once quoted as saying that Etisalat will pay the pending payment of $800 by March 2010. Which obviously didn’t happen.

It maybe recalled that PTA is working on a policy under which Etisalat or any of its subsidiary will be held disqualified to bid for 3G auction in case of non-payment.

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Telenor Announces Bill & Malinda Gates Grant for Easypaisa

Telenor Pakistan yesterday officially announced that Easypaisa has got a $ 6.5 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to increase adoption of its mobile financial services.

To announce the grant, a press conference was held at Telenor Pakistan’s head office.

In his opening remarks, Roar Bjaerum, Vice President of Financial Services at Telenor Pakistan, said that accessible mobile financial services can help catalyze Pakistan’s socio-economic efforts.

“Financial exclusion of the lower income population is a systemic challenge in Pakistan. With more than 85% of population not having access to formal savings or credit products, many households are vulnerable to fluctuations in daily income and unable to absorb economic shocks from unexpected events.

Easypaisa’s vision is to serve as a vehicle for financial inclusion for such households. The grant will help us accelerate adoption of Easypaisa services among poor and unbanked individuals,” he said.

Rodger Voorhies, Director of the Gates Foundation’s Financial Services for the Poor initiative, in a message said that the aim of the project was to expand the range of services poor Pakistanis can access through Easypaisa:

“While Easypaisa has seen rapid adoption of its payment and remittance services, adoption of mobile financial services, like savings and insurance, has been slower,” Voorhies said. “This grant aims to accelerate adoption of Easypaisa’s Mobile Account among poor and unbanked households to create a foundation for the delivery of savings, insurance, and other mobile financial services.”

Telenor Pakistan’s Roar Bjaerum also spoke about Easypaisa services and the socio-economic impact and future of mobile financial services in Pakistan.

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PTCL Introduces Jadoo Box offer

Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has brought to its customers ‘Jadoo Box’ – a device that gives uninterrupted connectivity on wired DSL as well as backup wireless.

Introduced in three packages, the ‘Jadoo Box’ gives commercial and residential customers unlimited and uninterrupted Internet connectivity through a combination of DSL and EVO Nitro bundled together. This comes with unlimited voice connectivity that customers can enjoy through this Jadoo device.

Offer Details:

Jadoo Box comes with:

• DSL Internet
• An EVO Nitro USB device as backup.
• Free On-Net calls from PTCL to PTCL and to Vfone

Jadoo Box Features

• Internet connectivity with default DSL and an EVO as backup connection
• Multiple Users at home can access internet simultaneously through a single connection
• Integrate your IP telephony with value added features
• Works as Ethernet switch that enables you build residential LAN
• Built-in Wi-Fi access – to provide wireless connectivity for multiple home users
• Auto switchover between your primary and backup connectivity

Tariff:

“PTCL’s Jadoo Box will capitalize on the uninterrupted connectivity needs of our valued customers,” said Senior Executive Vice President Commercial, Naveed Saeed. “This cutting-edge new product providing limitless connectivity will firmly establish PTCL as the only integrated telecom solutions company of Pakistan.”

Commending the PTCL ‘Jadoo Box’ brand team for their latest innovative accomplishment, Mr. Saeed said that it will be a new landmark in building PTCL’s unparalleled reliability for providing uninterrupted connectivity to all of its customers nation-wide.

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Apple has plans to introduce small tablet with 8-inch screen

New York: Apple is working with component suppliers in Asia to test a new version of its popular tablet computer with a smaller screen, U.S. media reported on Tuesday.

Citing people familiar with the situation, The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday that Apple officials have shown some suppliers designs for a device with an 8-inch screen size. It was said that Apple is qualifying potential suppliers to manufacture the device.

In comparison, the iPad tablets Apple has launched so far feature 9.7-inch screens.

A smaller tablet would help Apple broaden its product offerings, therefore better compete with rivals such as Samsung Electronics and Amazon to maintain its dominant market share.

The news of Apple testing a smaller tablet comes as the company is reportedly preparing to unveil a new iPad in early March which is expected to have a similar screen size of around 9.7 inches with the current generation of iPad 2.

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Easypaisa secures grant to expand mobile financial services to poorest households

Islamabad: Easypaisa, a joint initiative of Telenor Pakistan and Tameer Micro Finance Bank has secured a USD6.5 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to increase adoption of its mobile financial services among Pakistan’s poorest households and to strengthen its distribution network in poor and rural communities. 

To announce the grant, a press conference was held at Telenor Pakistan’s head office. In his opening remarks, Roar Bjaerum, Vice President of Financial Services at Telenor Pakistan, said that accessible mobile financial services can help catalyze Pakistan’s socio-economic efforts.

“Financial exclusion of the lower income population is a systemic challenge in Pakistan. With more than 85% of population not having access to formal savings or credit products, many households are vulnerable to fluctuations in daily income and unable to absorb economic shocks from unexpected events. Easypaisa’s vision is to serve as a vehicle for financial inclusion for such households. The grant will help us accelerate adoption of Easypaisa services among poor and unbanked individuals,” he said.

Rodger Voorhies, Director of the Gates Foundation’s Financial Services for the Poor initiative, in a message said that the aim of the project was to expand the range of services poor Pakistanis can access through Easypaisa.

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Diamond Gallery offers 50% annual sale on Valentine’s Day

Karachi: Diamond Gallery, a store that provides beautiful diamond jewelries has announced a 50% annual sale on Valentine’s Day for its customer.

According to TheNewsTribe correspondent from Karachi, Diamond Gallery have latest fashion jewellery available at the stores.

Organisers invite all those “to be married couples”, avail this sale offer and get your spouse a beautiful diamond ring at 50% sale.

Diamond Gallery also has offer for “all those lovers “out there, Valentine’s Day is about to come, hurry up and gift your spouse a beautiful diamond jewellery. After all, “diamonds are forever”.

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