ICT R&D Fund to Develop Broadband Growth Programme

The National ICT Research and Development (R&D) Fund has planed to develop an ‘Advanced Technology Programme in Broadband Access Technologies’ aimed at supporting the growth of broadband sector through a R&D centered ecosystem at national level.

Sources in the industry said that the national programme will support broadband sector not only for commercial activities but it will also produce kick-start knowledge-based value creation in this sector.

The programme is a collaborative initiative that promotes collaboration and use of best practices around a specific focus area to drive business results.

The institutions will provide free of cost space for the programme while the ICT R&D Fund will provide seed funding for sustaining the programme operations for the first three years including grants for equipment and for some initial R&D projects.

Besides, the individual R&D projects and other activities will be distributed across the programme partners including telecom operators, commercial organizations, academic institutions and others. The utilization of the infrastructure, equipment and facilities under the umbrella of the proposed programme will be open to all industry stakeholders, government agencies, academic institutions and researchers.

The programme is aimed at high economic and social returns within the shortest period of time through increasing utility of broadband services by customer of different walk of lives.

The fund’s board, in this regard, has already identified a number of priority themes including telecom, energy, agriculture and others.

Within the Pakistani telecom sector, the broadband sector has experienced the highest growth during the last few years. In 2010-11 Pakistan recorded 46.2 percent growth in the number of broadband subscribers and was ranked fourth worldwide in this regard. (In comparison Sri Lanka and India were ranked 11th and 14th, respectively).

Currently, the total number of broadband subscribers in Pakistan is estimated around 1.7 million but its sub-sector is expected to exhibit similar growth rates during the next few years.

Presently, there are more than 10 broadband service providers competing in the Pakistani market to get a share of this rapidly growing subscriber base. Various access technologies currently deployed include wireless technologies such as WiMAX and EvDO and wired technologies such as DSL, HFC and FTTH. In terms of technology adoption the Pakistani service providers have been the leaders in the region for quite some time.

1. 2. 7.

Firewall Looming in Pakistan: URL Filtering and Blocking

By March of 2012, The Pakistani Telecommunication Authority (PTA), may have succeeded in deployment of an Internet URL Filtering and Blocking system unless we, global citizens, along with the people of Pakistan, help prevent this from occurring.
As people become more aware and active globally, governments have begun to attempt to increase online censorship. Online censorship or filtering can be seen as justifiable when it may involve harmful content to children in educational systems, however, to censor or filter Internet usage in any fashion to adults, is in direct violation of constitutions and amendments that exist, against 14 of 30 Universal Human Rights, and the Constitution of Pakistan, as seen in the preamble alone.
America, with help from worldwide activists, citizens, businesses and Internet networks, fought back against two proposed bills SOPA [Stop Online Piracy Act] and PIPA [Protect IP Act] through petitions, calling state and government legislation, with businesses and online networks blacking out their websites in protest.
Internet censorship is the control or suppression of the publishing of, or access to information on the Internet.
The PTA is asking institutions [business, organizations, education, communication, media, etc] to submit a proposal allowing the PTA to block URL’s [universal resource locaters] aligned with The National RCT & RD Fund.
THE RCT states the URL blocking will “Transform Pakistan’s economy into a knowledge based economy by promoting efficient, sustainable and effective ICT initiatives through synergic development of industrial and academic resources.”
This is not the first time Pakistan has experienced online censorship in the current Federal Parliamentary System [Executive branch with support of legislation] however, with help, it can very well be the last.
On 24/7, Faisal Kapadia, broadcast journalist, speaks with Sana Saleem, activist/journalist and Yusra Askari, corespondent with NDTV in Part One of “Out of Bounds” on the Firewall Looming in Pakistan. All three explain and address how the government has invited proposals to private and semi-private companies to block 5 to 10 million URLS.
Why is the government doing this?

In Part Two of “Out of Bounds“, Faisal addresses the online community for reaction inside and out of Pakistan as to how this issue is viewed using varied comments from activists, journalists and citizens.
In May of 2011, The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights General Assembly in Article A/HRC/17/27 focused on freedom to access online content, access to the physical and technical infrastructure online, the increase in censoring information online, namely through arbitrary blocking or filtering of content, and criminalization of legitimate expression as human rights abuses under the right to freedom of expression and opinion.
Universal access to the Internet is not only freedom of expression and opinion as a human right, it is part of the Constitution of Pakistan. Blocking of URLS will hamper international business inside and out of Pakistan, as well as further damaging the cross border communications already in dire need of repair between people.
Business owners may not be able to promote their services, as well as global access to each business. Media will be hampered immensely due to not being able to access the global online network in order to tell the world what is occurring in Pakistan. Global aid for disaster relief, disease, hunger and medical care will not be able to reach those in need. The world will continue to operate as usual, however, to assume according to the RCT statement aligned with the Government of Pakistan that this filtering is solely to enhance the economy and education of Pakistan is preposterous at most.
On the US State Website after a 2010 visit to China, where the government controls the Internet, President Obama held a meeting with an online component to highlight the importance of the Internet. He defended the right of people to freely access information, and said that the more freely information flows, the stronger societies become. Obama spoke about how access to information helps citizens hold their own governments accountable, generates new ideas, encourages creativity and entrepreneurship.
In 2011, SOPA and PIPA were introduced to the American public.
Condemnations of this action, along with information regarding this initiative have already begun by: The Electronic Frontier Foundation Civil Society Against Blanket Ban of the Internet and Freedom House.Org.

1. 2. 7.

Pakistan Set to Celebrate World IP Day

World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has announced theme of 2012 World IP Day as “Visionary Innovators”. It has been narrated that behind every great innovations, either artistic or technical, is a human story a tale in which new pathways open as a result of the curiosity, insight or determination of individuals.

According to current year theme, elaborate arrangements had been made in Pakistan to design the World IP Day celebrations truly representative according to the thematic approach as decided by WIPO by giving opportunities to the innovators and relating creatures of different fields.

Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi, Chairman IPO-Pakistan said the event of World IP Day will be celebrated, on April 26th, in a befitting manner with participation of all the stakeholders in different fields including computer software.

He said that different technical session would also be arranged in which IP experts would highlight the importance of intellectual property right.

There would also be the need to aware the general masses and other people relating to different areas about critical role of IP rights and their impacts on social as well as economic sectors.

The Chairman said that significant importance would be given to the creative work of students and innovators. An exhibition would also be organized as side events of national conference. Geographical Indications (GI) of different areas of Pakistan would be displayed on the occasion. This Conference would provide exclusive platform to introduce Pakistan’s famous products in the country and also abroad.

1. 2. 7.

Radio Tax of Rs. 2 on Rs. 100 Mobile Reload Proposed

Media reports are suggesting that a parliamentary committee on Information and Broadcasting is considering to impose Radio Tax of Rs. 2 per each Rs. 100 card to be deducted on all reloads.

Reportedly, Information Minister Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan was present in the committee meeting and that she was so concerned about national radio that she proposed Rs. 2 to be deducted from each card of Rs. 100 in account of Radio tax.

Media, citing Dr. Awan, said that this tax will be applicable after annual budget 2011-12.

Telecom industry has immediately responded and termed this kind of collection a nonsense. They said that Telecom industry isn’t responsible for an organization which is sinking for its own reasons.

“Telecom operators won’t become collection service for the government, we will severely oppose this”, said an official of a mobile company. He rather proposed government to use utility bills for any kind of charity collection.

If imposed, Telecom industry to going to get a hit on their businesses.

Mobile phone operators are already paying highest taxes in Pakistan, as compared to other sectors. In addition, mobile subscribers are also bearing several kind of service charges.

It merits mentioning here that telecom subscribers, last year, had to pay 1.5 percent additional withholding tax named as flood surcharge.

1. 2. 7.

Launch Ceremony for Deployment of Pakistan-China Fiber Optic Cable Held

Special Communication Organization in collaboration with China Telecom will deploy cross-border Fiber Optic cable to connect both the countries.

This mega telecom project will cost Rs. 3.7 billion and will accrue economic benefits to Pakistan and will establish alternate international connectivity with China, Central Asian Republics (CARS) and Europe.

At present, Pakistan’s international connectivity with the world is through undersea cables, that areSEA-ME-WE 3&4, IMEWE and TWA-1, and Pakistan is connected through spurs only.

On completion, the project will also facilitate trade, tourism and IT awareness in the region and generate economic opportunities particularly in Gilgit-Baltistan.

This cross-border fiber link is expected to generate revenue, approximately Rs 1.5 billion in the first three years and, in the fourth year, the financial dividends are likely to grow.

Project is result of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was signed in April 2007, while construction and Maintenance Agreement between SCO and China Telecom (CT) wassigned during the visit of Chinese Vice Premier to Pakistan in Jun 2010.

SCO persistently pursued the process for its approval and the project was finally approved by the Government of Pakistan in Dec 2010.

Launch ceremony for this project was held in HQ SCO. Director Development of HQ SCO gave a detailed briefing on technical aspects of the project and invited technical proposals from the firms for the execution of the project.

Chairman SCO Project Management Board IGC&IT, SO-in-C, DG SCO, Member Telecom MoIT, and CEOs/Representatives of all Chinese telecom firms were also present at the occasion.

1. 2. 7.

Zong IDEOS Now Available at Rs. 6,999

Zong has further decreased the price for its Huawei Manufactured IDEOS handset. Zong Android Phone is now available for just Rs. 6,999 which was first priced at Rs. 15,999and then was later offered at Rs. 10,999.

Priced at mere Rs. 6,999 Zong IDEOS is powered by Froyo Android operating system. Featured with built-in GPS, IDEOS boasts a proficient TouchScreen with an Ambient Light sensor to keep the screen legible at all times.

Google applications including Gmail, Google Maps, Google Places and YouTube are only a tap away from you and that is not all the Android handset also supports POP3 and Exchange Server email accounts with the option to configure multiple email accounts on your handset.

With this handset customers can also enjoy 6 months free GPRS (8 MB per month) to surf the internet and get access to unlimited Free Android applications.

This handset can be availed from ZONG Customer Service Center or Franchises.

Price: Rs. 6,999

Features:

• OS – Android OS, V2.2
• CPU – 528 MHz Qualcomm Processor
• 3.2 MP Camera
• Bluetooth • GPRS/ EDGE
• Wi-Fi
• USB
• GPS
• Accelerometer
• Proximity Sensor
• Ambient Light Sensor
• POP3 and Exchange Server Email Support
• microSD Card Support (microSD card not included)

زونگ کی جانب سے متعارف کروائے گئے اینڈرائیڈ سمارٹ فون IDEOS کی قیمت کو ایک بار پھر کم کر دیا گیا ہے اور اب یہ فون صرف 6999 روپے میں دستیاب ہے۔  2010 میں متعارف کروائے جانے والے اس فون کی قیمت شروع میں 15999 مقرر کی گئی تھی جسے بعد ازاں کم کر کے 10999 کر دیا گیا تھا۔

زونگ کا IDEOS سمارٹ فون مشہور کمپنی ہواوے نے تیار کیا ہے اور یہ گوگل کے اینڈرائیڈ آپریٹنگ سسٹم 2.2 فرویو سے مزین ہے۔

اس فون میں جی پی ایس ، وائی فائی ، گوگل نقشہ جات ، یوٹیوب اور بہت سے نئی ایپلی کیشنز انسٹال کرنے کی سہولت بھی میسر ہے۔

زونگ کی جانب سے موبائل فون کے ساتھ 6 ماہ کا فری انٹرنیٹ بھی فراہم کیا جارہا ہے۔ جسکی حد 8 ایم بی ہے۔

یہ موبائل فون زونگ کی فرنچائیز یا کسٹمر سروس سنٹر سے خریدا جاسکتاہے۔

1. 2. 7.

Pakistan Aeronautical Complex manufactures affordable tablets for students & techies!

Recently news spread around like fire that Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) KAMRA is developing some Tablets. Pakistan Aeronautical Complex is mostly known for making State of the art Fighter Aircrafts.  Hats Off to PAKISTAN AIR FORCE!!  This is first time ever that any of armed forces factories has come up with a plan to jump into this field and it’s like a leap of faith for them. With Apple and different Android and Windows Phones already around techies and students of Pakistan it will be hard for them to do it.

PAC has done alliance with a company named INNAVTEK International (H.K.) for designing and manufacturing of its first three products. Two of them are Tablets with different specs and third is the Note Book. Products are available for sale via their website. The Android based tablets, which from looking at pictures seems to be enough capable as Galaxy Tabs of Samsung of HTC Flyer are, but they have a huge market to cover and they have to make their product worthy to get attention of people.

Why PAC PAD 1 is for you?

• Professional grade performance
• Vibrant crisp color display
• Unrestrained web browsing and downloading
• Full computing power in a tablet format
• Multitouch capacitive screen
• 7 inch LCD display with full HD resolution

Price: PKR 15,500

Product Specifications:

1. 2. 7.

Why Can’t We Afford to Delay 3G/4G Auction

This is a Guest Post by Parvez Iftikhar, former CEO of USF (Universal Service Fund) Pakistan, a globally recognized institute as a success-story in it’s domain.

He built the organization from scratch and successfully started executing projects, worth billions of rupees, to bridge the digital divide in the country through private sector telecom service providers.

As a concerned citizen, I would like to urge all those who have anything to do with the ICT sector to do whatever they can, to push and expedite introduction of mobile broadband (3G or whatever). I say this because yet another delay (albeit short and for good reasons) has appeared.

Irrespective of the on-going, completely unnecessary, “controversy” surrounding auction of 3G in Pakistan, allotting 3G frequencies to telecom operators is extremely urgent and essential for Pakistan.

We have already been left behind by others who used to be our followers in 2G. Mobile broadband – or 3G – should have been introduced here already four years ago. The delay has made us lose huge opportunities relating to job creation, international trade, economic growth and Foreign Direct Investment (Telecom FDI 2007: US$1,824 mil and 2011: US$ 79 mil).

Not to mention letting the technology gap between the advanced countries and us widen even more, despite the fact that more than 70% of our population is below 35 – normally considered early adopters of modern technology.

According to ITU’s World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database, a total of 159 economies worldwide have launched 3G services commercially and the number of active mobile-broadband subscriptions has surpassed one billion. Countries from New Zealand to USA are allocating huge amounts of national resources to deploy infrastructure, like Optic Fiber Cables, to facilitate delivery of broadband to the citizens. Whereas we are taking ages even to allocate the God-given resource of frequency-spectrum which will facilitate provision of broadband.

Some skeptics ask what we will do with 3G? Mostly they are only thinking in terms of mobile phones – and not mobile broadband. Although a lot could be done with 3G smart phones too (present estimate 15 mil smart phones in Pakistan, expected to increase to 50 mil by 2016), it is 3G mobile broadband, mainly using USB dongles, complementing fixed broadband, that is of bigger value and main attraction for countries like ours. While people in developed countries usually use mobile-broadband in addition to the fixed, mobile-broadband is often the only access method available to people in developing countries.

Broadband has tremendous commercial usages but one of its main benefits lies in it’s capability as a deliverer of basic services to hundreds of millions of citizens, especially those living in the hinterlands of the country.

Education, Health, Governance, Commerce, Agriculture, Women Empowerment,… all can find their way. Greater access to broadband services has been found to help accelerate achievement of development targets like the internationally-agreed Millennium Development Goals. It is only using broadband that we can serve our exploding population (CAGR: 2.5%) at their doorsteps, not only to bring prosperity to them but also prevent mass migration to urban centers and save our bursting mega-cities from crumbling under their own weight.

Right now in Pakistan broadband is available in less than 300, small and big, towns and cities. All the present two million connections being of fixed broadband category (50% wireless). But then there is only so much fixed technologies can do.

Fortunately, thanks to the ubiquitous 2G GSM network, 3G can take broadband to every nook and corner of the country, becoming accessible to more than 90% population, with relatively small effort. I have deliberately used the word “effort” and not investment because investment will come from private sector telecom operators. Here is a sector where the government doesn’t need to bother about development budget allocations and resource constraints. Just like 2G was such an effective engine of growth for our economy, 3G too could contribute significantly. Admittedly the private sector operators would like to invest and deploy 3G mainly in large cities, but for the rest there is USF!

As for the controversy, firstly, on a per-megahertz-per-year basis, the announced base price is equal to the peak price achieved last time around. Secondly it is likely to go higher during bidding, despite worse political/economic/security situation than in 2004. And thirdly the licenses are going to be technology-neutral, therefore it is the operators who would decide whether they deploy 3G or something else (incidentally 4G – the so-called LTE Advanced — is not even there yet).

Yes, the only thing that all of us need to be vigilant about and jealously guard is the process being followed. The process must be fair and transparent. Period.

1. 2. 7.

The internet is broken - we need to start over

Last year, the level and ferocity of cyber-attacks on the internet reached such a horrendous level that some are now thinking the unthinkable: to let the internet wither on the vine and start up a new more robust one instead.

On being asked if we should start again, many - maybe most - immediately argue that the internet is such an integral part of our social and economic fabric that even considering a change in its fundamental structure is inconceivable and rather frivolous.

I was one of those. However, recently the evidence suggests that our efforts to secure the internet are becoming less and less effective, and so the idea of a radical alternative suddenly starts to look less laughable.

One example of struggling security comes from Neira Jones, head of payment security at Barclaycard. She told me that in the UK alone, identity fraud costs more than £2.7bn every year and affects over 1.8 million people.

We also increasingly have other forms of cyber-attacks from political activists (so called 'hacktivists'), and cyber-espionage and warfare, where the internet has become another stage for global conflict between nations.

We need to understand the root of the problem.

In essence, the internet was never intended to be a secure network. The concept was developed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa) as a means of allowing a distributed computer system to survive a nuclear attack on the US.

Those who designed the Internet Protocol (IP) did not expect that someone might try to intercept or manipulate information sent across it.

As we expanded our use of the internet from large, centralised computers to personal computers and mobile devices, its underlying technology stayed the same.

The internet is no longer a single entity but a collection of 'things' unified by only one item - IP - which is now so pervasive that it is used to connect devices as wide-ranging as cars and medical devices.

Many technologies were then built upon this foundation. The best known was HyperText Mark-up Language (HTML) which is what allows web pages such as this to be displayed in the way you view it now.

And, yes, many of these technologies included the ability to secure the data that is being transmitted over the internet. All will have used one of these 'secure' technologies, most usually when buying something over the internet.

1. 2. 7.

Unexpected Google Income گوگل کی آمدنی توقعات سے کم

انٹرنیٹ کمپنی گوگل نے سنہ دو ہزار گیارہ کے آخری تین ماہ میں آمدنی میں ستائیس فیصد اضافے کا اعلان کیا تاہم یہ اضافہ بھی وال سٹریٹ کی توقعات پر پورا نہیں اترا جس کی وجہ سے گوگل کمپنی کے حصص کی قیمت گر گئی ہے۔

گوگل کے حصص کی قیمت دس فیصد کمی کے بعد پانچ سو پچھہتر ڈالر تک پہنچ گئی۔

گوگل نے تین ماہ کے اس عرصے میں دس اعشاریہ چھ ارب ڈالر کی آمدنی ظاہر کی اور اس کا مجموعی منافع چھ اعشاریہ چار فیصد بڑھ کر دو اعشاریہ سات ارب ڈالر رہا۔

گوگل کے چیف ایگزیکٹو لیری پیج کا کہنا تھا کہ گوگل نے ایک بہترین تہائی کے ساتھ ایک بہترین سال کا اختتام کیا۔ انہوں نے کہا ’میں اینڈروئڈ، جی میل اور گوگل پلس کی ترقی کے بارے میں بہت پرامید ہوں۔ آج دنیا بھر میں ان کے نو کروڑ صارفین ہیں جو کہ صرف تین ماہ پہلے اعلان کی گئی تعداد سے دگنے ہیں‘۔

دوسری ٹیکنالوجی کمپنیوں نے بھی اسی عرصے کے نتائج شائع کیے جن میں مائیکروسافٹ اور انٹیل شامل ہیں۔

مائیکروسافٹ نےاسی تہائی میں چھ اعشاریہ چھ دو ارب ڈالر کا منافع کمایا جس سے اس کمپنی کے دی جانے والی مصنوعات اور خدمات کی طلب ظاہر ہوتی ہے۔

دنیا کی الیکٹرونک چپس بنانے کی سب سے بڑی کمپنی انٹیل نے بھی توقعات سے بہتر یعنی آمدنی میں چھ فیصد اضافے کے ساتھ تین اعشاریہ تین چھ ارب ڈالر کمائے جبکہ تھائی لینڈ میں سیلاب کی وجہ سے ان کے کارخانوں میں کام بھی رکا رہا

.بی بی سی سے بات کرتے ہوئے انٹیل کے سربراہ گریم پامر نے کہا ’ہم پی سی کی مارکیٹ میں واضح اضافہ دیکھ رہے ہیں۔ چین میں پرسنل کمپیوٹر کے استعمال میں بیس فیصد اضافہ ہو رہا ہے۔ دنیا بھر میں تقریباً دس لاکھ کمپیوٹر روزانہ استعمال میں آتے ہیں اور ابھی چین، بھارت، برازیل اور روس کی ابھرتی ہوئی مارکیٹوں میں طلب بڑھ رہی ہے‘۔

اس کے باوجود تجزیہ کار گوگل کمپنی کے اعداد و شمار سے اس قدر متاثر نہیں ہوئے۔

گلوبل ایکویئٹیز ریسرچ کے ٹرپ چوھدری کا کہنا تھا کہ گوگل سے توقعات بہت زیادہ تھیں اور انہوں نے ان توقعات کو پورا نہیں کیا۔ انہوں نے کہا ’مائیکروسافٹ اور انٹیل کے برعکس گوگل کی (آمدن کے بارے میں) اندازے کئی مہینوں سے بڑھتے رہے ہیں۔‘

جہاں گزشتہ سال کی چوتھی دہائی میں گوگل کے اشتہارات پر کلک کرنے کی تعداد بڑھی، گوگل ان اشتہارات کو لگانے والوں سے آٹھ فیصد کم قیمت حاصل کرسکا۔

سٹائیفل نیکولاؤس کے جورڈن روہان کا کہنا تھا کہ اگرچہ شمالی امریکہ میں کارکردگی اچھی رہی تاہم سرمایہ کاروں کی دنیا کے دوسرے حصوں خصوصاً یورپ کے بارے میں تشویش برقرار ہے۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ جرمنی اور دوسرے ممالک میں کفایت شعاری کے اقدامات کیے جا رہے ہیں اور وہاں پر طلب گر گئی ہے۔

گزشتہ مکمل سال میں گوگل نے آمدنی میں انتیس فیصد اضافہ دکھایا جس میں اس کا مجموعی منافع چودہ چار فیصد بڑھ کر نو اعشاریہ سات ارب ڈالر رہا۔

1. 2. 7.

More mobiles than humans in 2012, says Cisco ’2012 میں انسانوں سے زیادہ موبائل ہوں گے‘

By 2016 it predicts that there will be 10 billion mobile connected devices around the world.

By the same date networks will be carrying 130 exabytes of data each year, equivalent to 33 billion DVDs.

Mobile data traffic in 2011 was eight times the size of the global internet in 2000, according to the report.

Gigabyte club

The rise in data consumption is likely to cause more problems for mobile operators already struggling to cope with demand.

Currently the average smartphone uses 150 megabytes of data per month but this is expected to rise to 2.6 gigabytes by 2016, the report found.

"By 2016, 60% of mobile users - three billion people worldwide - will belong to the Gigabyte Club, each generating more than one gigabyte of mobile data traffic per month," said Suraj Shetty, vice-president of products and solutions at Cisco.

There are various factors that are pushing data consumption ever higher.

People are using more tablet devices which are even more data-hungry than smartphones, the report found.

According to Cisco, tablet use exploded in 2011 - tripling to 34 million devices, each of which is generating over three times more traffic than smartphones. By 2016 it predicts that tablets will account for more than 10% of global mobile traffic.

Streaming video

Another factor is faster networks. 4G is currently only available for about 0.2% of mobile connections but they already account for 6% of mobile data traffic, the report said.

Using mobile data on a 4G connection generates 28% more traffic than a non-4G connection, it found.

Apple's iPhones had a reputation for using up more bandwidth than other handsets but the study found that Android consumption is now equal to, if not higher, to iPhone consumption in the US and Western Europe.

Seb Lahtinen, from broadband news site ThinkBroadband, is unsurprised by the findings.

"Most of us use a smart phone on trains, but we still struggle to get a good signal.

"As speeds and quality increases, more users will start watching streaming videos on mobiles, which is likely to lead to an explosion in mobile traffic growth," he said.

موبائل فونز کے عالمی ڈیٹا پر نظر رکھنے والی نیٹ ورک کمپنی سسکو کے مطابق رواں سال دنیا میں انسانوں کی تعداد سے زیادہ موبائل فونز کی تعداد ہو جائے گی۔

اس کمپنی نے پیشین گوئی کی ہے کہ سنہ 2016 تک موبائل فون سےکنکٹ ہونے والے آلات کی تعداد دس بلین ہو جائے گی۔ کمپنی کے مطابق سنہ 2016 تک نیٹ ورکس میں ہر سال 130 ایگزا بائیٹ کا ڈیٹا موجود ہو گا یعنی کہ 33 بلین ڈی وی ڈیز کے برابر ڈیٹا

کمپنی کی رپورٹ کے مطابق سنہ دو ہزار کے مقابلے میں دو ہزار گیارہ میں موبائل ٹریفک میں آٹھ گنا اضافہ ہوا ہے۔

سسکو کی رپورٹ کے مطابق موبائل فونز کے استعمال کے اضافے کے باعث موبائل آپریٹرز کو مانگ پوری کرنے میں مشکلات پیش آئیں گی۔

رپورٹ میں کہا گیا ہے کہ اس وقت ایک سمارٹ فون 150 میگا بائیٹس ماہانہ استعمال کرتا ہے لیکن سنہ 2016 تک ایک سمارٹ فون 2.6 گیگا بائیٹ استعمال کرے گا۔

’سنہ 2016 تک موبائل فون کے ساٹھ فیصد صارف یعنی تین بلین افراد گیگا بائیٹ کلب سے تعلق رکھیں گے۔ اور ان میں سے ہر ایک صارف ماہانہ ایک گیگا بائیٹ استعمال کرے گا۔‘

موبائل ٹریفک میں اضافے کی کئی وجوہات ہیں۔ ایک تو یہ ہے کہ لوگ ٹیبلٹ استعمال کرنے لگ گئے ہیں جو کہ سمارٹ فون سے بھی زیادہ ٹریفک استعمال کرتا ہے۔

سسکو کے مطابق سنہ دو ہزار گیارہ میں ٹیبلٹ کا استعمال تین گنا بڑھ کر 34 ملین ہو گیا ہے۔

موبائل ٹریفک کی دوسری وجہ ہے فور جی نیٹ ورک جو کہ تیز نیٹ ورکس ہیں۔ اس وقت فور جی نیٹ ورک صرف 0.2 فیصد موبائل کنکشنز کو مہیا ہیں۔ لیکن پھر بھی فور جی چھ فیصد ٹریفک کا خالق ہے۔

1. 2. 7.

iPad 3 Release Announcement on March. 7 Date, 4G and A6 Rumors

The iPad 3 release date is now widely rumored to be on Mar. 7, 2012; or to be more precise, that’s the day of the iPad 3 announcement at a special event in San Francisco to launch the new iPad. The iPad 3 release date could be as soon as a week after that, according to AllThingsD who cites previous iPad announcement / release cycles. Other big ticket news items that are of-the-moment are 4G LTE capabilities, Retina Display, an A6 processor with quad-core capabilities, rumors of a smaller iPad that we heard so much about earlier this year ... the iPad Mini or so-called iPad 4. More about this below, along with iPad 3 features and specs. First, the reason why Apple CEO Tim Cook thinks the iPad is what it is based on today’s comments at a Goldman Sachs Technology & Internet conference: 

“The reason the iPad’s ramp has been so large in my view is that the iPad has stood on the shoulders of everything that came before it — the iTunes store, the iPhone. People trained on these products so by the time the iPad launched it was intuitive to use. I gave one to my mother and she knew how to use it, like this, just from watching the commercial” he said, according to AllThingsD.

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Warid Makes Valentine’s Day Special

Lahore: Making this Valentine’s Day special for its customers, Warid brings some extremely exciting Valentines value added services.

It includes Love Meter, a meter that gauges couple’s compatibility, SMS love story, that tells a unique love story based on couples’ names, exciting Love Quizzes, Romantic Caller Tunes, Song Dedication, Baba G k Valentines Predictions and a special Valentine’s Day WAP through which users can download unlimited contents including Wallpapers, Ring Tones and Videos.

With lot of amazing Valentine’s Day special offers there is additionally a Diamond ring offered to the winner of Love Meter, based on sending the most messages to increase the chance of winning.

Furthermore, with Song Dedication service, lucky winners can win Free Air Time as they dedicate songs to their loved ones. Warid also dressed its website with the Valentine’s Day Offer and updated the Official Warid Facebook page to make this Valentine’s Day special.

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Youtube 7 Years Completed Today!

YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos.[3]

The company is based in San Bruno, California, and uses Adobe Flash Video and HTML5[4]technology to display a wide variety of user-generated video content, including movie clips, TV clips, and music videos, as well as amateur content such as video blogging and short original videos. Most of the content on YouTube has been uploaded by individuals, although media corporations including CBS, the BBC, VEVO, Hulu, and other organizations offer some of their material via the site, as part of the YouTube partnership program.[5]

Unregistered users can watch videos, while registered users can upload an unlimited number of videos. Videos considered to contain offensive content are available only to registered users at least 18 years old.

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Peshawar to Get an IT Park

The provincial information technology department on Monday acquired 25,000 square feet space in Peshawar’s Deans Trade Centre for setting up an information technology park. Establishment of a similar park is also planned in Abbottabad.

The government had announced establishment of the two IT parks last year to diversify its investment portfolio and promote information technology sector.

KPITB managing director Amjad Shahid Afridi, on the occasion said that the government had allocated Rs1 billion for the project for the next five years and agreed to release it at once to prevent the project from possible interruptions in case of any change in political dispensation.

Government would subsidize 80 per cent of power and air conditioning costs, while Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited would provide free broadband services to startups in the two IT parks.

MD KPITB mentioned that investors could set up call centers and business process outsourcing and software houses in the two parks but vendors and other services were not included it.

He said the provincial IT minister was to visit Afghanistan in March with a delegation to explore business possibilities there.

“There are huge business opportunities in Afghanistan and Peshawar has the unique opportunity to tap them,” he said, adding that investors could set up Pashto, Dari and Persian call centres at Peshawar IT park to do business in Afghanistan. He said KPITB was considering opening an office in Kabul to facilitate bilateral business relations and investment.

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Nokia Mobile Money Coming to Pakistan Through MCB

Muslim Commercial Bank in collaboration with Nokia is soon going to launch mobile banking services in Pakistan, reportedTelecom Recorder.

The Mobile Money Service, Nokia’s flagship product for mobile banking in developing countries, will be available to all MCB customers with Nokia phones.

The MCB Bank Mobile Money Service powered by Nokia will allow mobile phone users to transfer money to another person by using the person’s mobile phone number and also top-up prepaid connections, pay bills and enjoy cashless shopping.

Nokia would enable MCB-mobile money customers to not only have compelling user experiences on Nokia handsets right out of the box through a pre-loaded money client, but also by making available downloadable ‘Money’ clients for MCB branchless banking customers.

This outcome is result of an agreement signed between Nokia and Muslim Commercial Bank in July 2011.

Nokia is already offering mobile money services in the Indian market through Union Bank of India and YES BANK.

1. 2. 7.

Telenor Pakistan Files Lawsuits Against Huawei and NSN

Telenor Pakistan has reportedly filed separate lawsuits against Nokia Siemens Network and Huawei Pakistan, told us sources familiar with the development.

According to the details we have received the matter was moved to court for arbitration over a dispute in an agreement between Huawei Pakistan and Telenor Pakistan.

Our source tells us that according to the agreement, Huawei was supposed to offer managed network services to Telenor Pakistan for three years, starting April 2011.

Just to recall, this was the same agreement under which Huawei had absorbed Telenor Pakistan’s whole department for Network Security and Maintenance.

Aamer Izhar Ul Haq, Vice President Corporate Affairs & Security at Telenor Pakistan confirmed us that Telenor is involved in separate legal proceedings with the Nokia Siemens Network and Huawei without mentioning the details. “As the matter is sub-judice, we are unable to comment any further on the subject”, he wrote to us in an email communication.

It merits mentioning here that Telenor Pakistan recently awarded ZTE a countrywide end-to-end network swap contract valuing $850 million to beat NSN and Huawei’s price.

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Warid introduces amazing Karachi offer

Karachi: Warid Telecom recently announced its Karachi Offer ‘Bol Utha Karachi’ in which people in Karachi can make free and unlimited calls to all Warid numbers from 12am till 12pm with the daily rental of only Rs. 3.99+t.

This amazing offer can be subscribed by both existing and new Karachi based subscribers by sending “KHI” in SMS to 4337.

 This limited time offer is for prepaid subscribers only and will automatically be renewed daily at midnight.

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PTCL launches Vfone ‘Double Balance’ offer for customers

Karachi: Pakistan Telecommunication Company (PTCL) has launched Vfone ‘Double Balance’ offer for its customers to recharge their Vfone accounts and get an additional free balance equal to the load amount.

According to a press release, applicable for WIN subscribers, the Vfone Double Balance offer allows those customers who have not recharged their accounts since 31 August 2011 to re-load and get an additional free balance equal to the load amount absolutely free.

Vfone customers can use the free balance acquired through this offer for on-net calling, internet and SMS to on-net and off-net networks for 30 days.

Customers can avail the facility of SMS, unlimited free calls from Vfone to Vfone and a Smart package, which offers extremely low rate of PKR 1.30 per min for a­ny network anytime.

1. 2. 7.

IBM to release free internet security training tools to educate society

New York: IBM recently announced that in conjunction with Safer Internet Day it will release free Internet safety training tools for students and have thousands of volunteers working to help raise awareness and educate students and businesses on Internet safety and digital responsibility.

IBM is unveiling three free volunteer kits to better educate students, parents and teachers on Internet safety:

“IBMers are committed to helping educate people on ways to safely and securely use the Internet,” said Harriet Pearson, IBM Security Counsel and Chief Privacy Officer. “The resources we are donating will help teachers and parents raise awareness that most Internet-based threats to individual and computer security can significantly be reduced by actions that informed users take themselves.”

Last year IBM employees donated more than three million hours of volunteer service.  The company has donated 34 volunteer kits to help both IBMers as well as community members have meaningful activities and dialogues in the community about various issues.

Since its inception in 2004, Safer Internet Day interest has grown to reach all five continents and almost 80 countries, from Canada to South Korea and Russia to Kenya, including all 27 countries of the European Union. The goal of the day is to help make the Internet a better place for our children and young people.

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