Gadgets & Gizmos

As the advertisement by the National ICT R&D got published in the leading newspapers recently, seeking solution providers for URL level blocking and filtering of “objectionable” material on the internet, the debate on internet censorship has been widespread amid civil society activists expressing doubts over authorities’ intentions to limit internet freedom for public on political grounds.
Majority of the people support the authorities to block obscene material on internet for protecting society – particularly growing up students from the menace; whereas there are people who have expressed their reservations over the mechanism of this plan that may be exploited for massive censorship to suppress the public freedom of expression in case of any political opposition.
Full Disclosure
Before starting discussion we want to let you know that ProPakistani supports this national level, centralized, URL filtering system – having said this, we will oppose any censorship, for any medium, based on political grounds. We also believe that people of Pakistan are free to express and have all the abilities to stop any censorship efforts, if ever made.

What this National Level URL Filtering will do?

This highly hyped URL filtering system is an effort to centralize the blockade process of adult websites, which is currently being done manually at individual level by ISPs. So theoretically there’s nothing new. No new rules, no new policy.
Its just the enhanced form of making those websites inaccessible which are of adult nature.
Currently, PTA regularly sends a list of URLs to ISPs to get them blocked. ISPs in return block these websites through their own means using their own staff and resources.
After National level URL filtering system in place, this current procedure will be replaced with a centralized team taking care of blocking websites at international gateway level, eliminating the resource loss of ISPs.
Again: By definition there’s nothing new being implemented.

Why Adult Websites are Blocked?

You might ask me, especially if you are not from Pakistan and aren’t familiar with the background of the case, that why adult websites are blocked in Pakistan?
To recall, there was this verdict issued by Sindh High Court (SHC) in October 2011 to PTA to get adult websites blocked. Based on which Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) directed all Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block 1,000 explicit sites in the first phase.
The high court issued its verdict after hearing of a petition filled by Syed Iqbal Kazmi, who submitted that obscene material, websites were easily available on the internet, which are spoiling our youth and social norms.
Besides a long struggle was seen by a 15-year-old 9th grader, Ghazi Muhammad Abdullah, who had repeatedly written letters to the Chief Justice, Minister of IT and PTA to take notice of the adult websites, which were easily and freely accessible in Pakistan.
These were merely two cases raised properly and highlighted in the media but the demand was backed by and large all parents and educated people regardless of ideology and liberal and conservative divide as a matter of fact the repercussions of explicit websites are destroying our society moral values and increasing heinous crimes.

What if You Don’t Like the Blockade?

Courts’ rulings are primarily based on constitution, evidences and arguments presented by the parties. To further add, Pakistani courts are independent. Unlike in many countries, Pakistani courts aren’t influenced by the Government or mafia groups. This is evident from facts that court has indicted Prime Minister of Pakistan, while in another ongoing case intelligence agencies are being questioned by judiciary.
So if you don’t like a decision, very fine, its your right to oppose it. In addition you have every right to try reversing the decision, but there’s a procedure to follow.
File a review petition, its simple, go there and request for a review. Doors are open. But once a verdict is issued, try respecting it.
This is exactly like France banning veil. It was state order, based on their constitution. Anyone living in France will have to follow it – regardless of his/her objections over ruling. If one can’t (or doesn’t want to) follow the ban – she’s free to travel to a country where veil isn’t banned. Simple as that.

Need for National Level URL Filtering System

As mentioned above, due to high court order, PTA was bound to get the orders implemented.
Initially order to block websites having obscene content was followed by all ISPs, Broadband operators, Cellular Operators, LDI Operators but the mechanism was manual and could be breached through software/proxy websites.
A meeting held at PTA headquarters on October 27th 2011, according to a document made available to ProPakistani, the authority and ISPs, Cellcos, Broadband and LDI operators attended the meeting.
They believed that the blockade should be expanded to 171,000 websites, estimated to have explicit content but it needed a foolproof system to be deployed as a comprehensive solution.
The authority and all service providers after consensus had been on the same page to block all such websites at international gateway level, that is, at the end of IP backbone (PTCL and TWA) through National Filtering and Blocking System/Solution.
There were two proposals tabled – one was to buy an imported solution from foreign companies, which could cost around $2 and $10 million initially and then maintenance cost with recurring charges every year.
PTA, however, decided to provide opportunity to universities and local firms for developing a proposed solution, which the National ICT R&D will supervise and finance because all of its budget is generated by telecom operators and IT companies.
Secondly, authority and all stake holders there in meeting thought that an opportunity should be given to local talent for unleashing their potential through development of state-of-art solution.

Opposition for National Level URL Filtering System

Activists, I wonder what they specialize in, are up against the URL filtering system with following objections:

• Access to uncensored internet is basic human right
• Blocking of 50 million website will slow down down internet in Pakistan
• National ICT R&D fund shouldn’t be used for financing this project. ICT R&D is supposed to support IT, not to fund such a project.
• Authorities will start blocking websites on political grounds
• Pakistan will get negative publicity due to this censorship

Here are my responses to above mentioned points:
Uncensored Internet is so rare:
You will have to agree with me that completely uncensored internet is a rare luxury to have. Every state/country has standards and rules (based on its ideology and social norms) for restricting its internet users from viewing specific content.
Even developed countries like USA, UK, France and others consider censorship of topics that are held to be antithetical as accepted societal norms. For instance censorship of child pornography, hate speech, hate crime, terrorism, violence against people, animals, or property, etc. is globally practiced.
These countries, however, allow pornography after certain age, unlike our religion which doesn’t allow it all.
Similarly, any material on internet for denial of holocaust is considered criminal – in at least two dozen countries.
Hence, if I may speak frankly, uncensored internet is quite impossible to find.
Adult websites are blocked in Pakistan (though its not fully implemented, and this is why National URL filtering system is needed), just like they are not allowed in other forms of media. For example you won’t find adult material on TV just because PEMRA wouldn’t allow it.
You will have to live with it, weather you like it or not. This country simply doesn’t allow porn, and that’s it. My sincere advise to those who can’t live without porn is to relocate to a place where such activities are allowed.
National Firewall will slow down Internet in Pakistan:
Technically speaking it will impact. No doubt about it. Latency will increase – but it’s the architecture of firewall that will exactly determine the size of delay the firewall will cause.
Technical experts, I have spoken with so far, are of the opinion that impact can’t be gauged at this point of time. They agreed that mission critical assignments (those that can’t afford delay of milliseconds) will be impacted for sure. For general internet user there won’t be any change in life.
Will Pakistan get negative publicity due to this censorship?
Of course yes, due to those attention seekers, who like to be called liberal and activists, running to western media to oppose this blocking system. They are already calling it Great Firewall of Pakistan, according to some, even without reading the RFP (request for proposal).
Western media is always looking for stories against Pakistan, due to reasons obvious to everyone, and how shameful that we ourselves twist the facts to give them the opportunity.
Let’s take the example of Facebook ban last year. Pakistan could easily tell the world that banning Facebook was due to Facebook’s discriminatory behavior and its clear support for the Drawing content.
Pakistan could tell the world that Facebook violated its own TOS, which clearly mentions that hatred speech isn’t allowed. It could tell the world that this country has a blasphemy law (just like so many other countries have their own format of blasphemy laws) that bounds the authorities to get this content banned to the people living in the state. Anyone outside is of course free to access it.
But it didn’t happen this way, in fact these same activists went to western media telling them how miserable their condition was because they couldn’t access Facebook. Even our Chairman PTA couldn’t defend the ban and said that authority simply executed the order passed by court – authority (is so noble and it) has nothing to do with the decision. I mean come’on sir, you could defend our dignity.
Can authorities block websites on political grounds?
Yes they can! But remember, we are only assuming this. Like I mentioned above, internet blocking is already in place – but did you see any website getting banned based on political grounds? One example of a ban last year, which is being referenced by everyone, was due to a technical glitch at Mobilink Infinity.
Yes, there are websites blocked – those advocating for freedom of Balochistan. Which I believe is a matter of national security and is being dealt with diligence.
You will agree that Pakistan is a free nation and Pakistanis are free to say anything against anyone, without involving national security and religion.
Pakistani media is free and private. You will see Kamran Khan shouting against ruling party every night. And he will stay this way – just because we are free.
I myself criticize government so heavily that once I opined of throwing Rehman Malik under the bus.
Don’t worry guys, if you can get Maya Khan out of a show, then you can also stop any censorship efforts by government – just like you stopped SMS fileting.
Why National ICT R&D Fund is used for National Filtering System?
Decision was made to get ICT R&D fund involved because government wanted to give opportunity to local universities and local firms for the this sophisticated deployment.
Instead of buying a solution from abroad, it was best option to avail indigenous resources.

Sweetening the National URL Filtering

Room for betterment in any implementation is always there. The process of blocking adult website could definitely be enhanced. Here are few proposals from ProPakistani

• PTA should publish the list of blocked websites, detailing if block is temporary or permanent
• PTA should also specify the reasons for blocking a website
• Mechanism should be devised for the public for reconsideration/review of PTA’s decision of blocking any website
• Similarly, PTA should also devise a way for public to report inappropriate websites – that they think should be blocked.

There is a dire need of consensus on this issue required, particularly over the assurance that the proposed system will not be misused politically reasons.
The National ICT R&D consists of representation of private sector as well, which can monitor the systems utility in future also and raise objections if National URL Blocking and Filtering System is exploited or misused.
A committee could be constituted with members inducted from government, private sector and rights groups that can monitor the working of the system in future.

Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) CEO & President, Walid Irshaid, has said that the Company is on a growth trajectory not only because of its innovative products and services, but also because of its talented sales force.
“Success in life comes from one simple thing: taking ownership of what you do,” said Mr. Irshaid while chairing PTCL’s Annual Sales Conference 2012 themed “Build, Operate, Own”, held in Islamabad. “The only way we can succeed is through collective thinking, combined energies, synergized teamwork, proactive customer engagement and ownership of business.”
The day-long conference held at a local hotel was attended by PTCL’s countrywide sales management teams comprising 71 officials, as well as senior officials from the Company’s Commercial, Human Resource, and Marketing departments.
Participants were given the opportunity to share their observations, experiences and successes regarding PTCL’s product sales & services, initiatives & promotions, distribution & revenue streams, as well as regional issues & trends.
Led by PTCL SEVP Commercial, Naveed Saeed, and SEVP HR, Syed Mazhar Hussain, the day-long conference comprised various interactive and animated sessions for brainstorming and war-gaming with the twin objectives of reviewing sales targets and invigorating sales teams with sustained motivation.
The PTCL sales force learned new strategies for diversifying sales approaches, maximizing customer experience, providing after-sales services, and achieving business targets.
Participants included energetic teams from consumer sales, consumer services, direct and indirect sales, corporate sales, contact centers, one-stop shops, wire-line and wireless departments.
In addition, the ‘Sharing Insights’ session lead by PTCL’s HR Team focused on gathering new ideas and effective feedback from line managers, stakeholders and process owners to bring positive change vis-à-vis organizational citizenship in the Company.

Pakistan Telecommunications Company Limited (PTCL) has posted a net profit after tax of Rs. 2.84 billion in its half-year earnings made during FY2011-12 for the period ending December 31, that’s 29 percent lower than Rs 4.02 billion earned in the same period in 2010. However, PTCL’s net revenue rose to Rs. 28.1 billion, showing a growth of 7% over the same period during previous financial year.
PTCL’s group revenue stood at Rs.55 billion during the period under review, showing a growth of 6% over FY2010.
Business Recorder, citing a KSE notice said that during 1HFY12, PTCLs cost of services grew by more than eight percent, while company’s administrative expenses grew by 12.14 percent, whereas the selling and marketing expenses came down by nearly 2 percent in 1HFY12.
Earning per share (EPS) stood at Rs 0.56 against Rs 0.79 in 2010, the KSE notice said.
Earning report didn’t include dividend from Ufone.
“PTCL’s profits and revenue growth during first half of FY2011-12 is a strong indicator of our dynamic corporate direction as well as our customers’ continued satisfaction and trust,” said PTCL CEO & President, Walid Irshaid, following a meeting of the company’s Board of Directors held here today, which announced the Company’s six-months financial results for the period ending December 31, 2011. “Through optimal use of resource, we want to achieve enhanced revenue, greater levels of customer satisfaction, as well as improve our shareholders’ value.”
A statement issued by company said that despite the economic challenges faced by Pakistan, PTCL remained strong throughout 2011 in emerging segments of Broadband in Wire-line as well as Wireless, and other corporate services.
In 2011, PTCL launched Pakistan’s first ever 3G enabled tablet with built-in EVO Wireless Broadband.
“We are constantly innovating and improving our customer experience,” said Mr. Irshaid, while recounting the successes of PTCL’s most recent business offerings. “We strongly believe that PTCL will remain the market leader and a service provider of choice throughout Pakistan for providing cutting-edge integrated telecom solutions to our customers.”

Just in case if you didn’t come across a news we published about 50 GB data limit that PTCL applied last month to it’s broadband packages then there are chances that you may be charged Rs. 1,000 extra in current month’s PTCL bill.
You won’t be alone, there would be thousands of other PTCL customers who will come to know about this monthly data limit of 50 GBs only after seeing this month’s bill.
You can thank your service provider, namely PTCL for not notifying you about this additional charging in case if you cross 50 GB monthly limit. In addition you can thank Pakistan Telecommunication Authority for sleeping so tight and for so long now.
Let alone the print ad or TVC to notify its customers, PTCL didn’t bother to even put an update on their website. When called PTCL helpline, a representative apologized for not having this information on website; she said that website will be updated soon but didn’t give any deadline.
By the way PTCL (or any other ISP) keeps email addresses and phone numbers of all of their customers. So the best way to send an email or personalized text message to all the customers regarding the tariff changes. But they didn’t – for obvious reasons.
If you still didn’t know, we are here to tell you; last month PTCL applied a data limit of 50 GB for it’s 4,6,8 Mbps packages. Anyone exceeding this limit will have to pay straight Rs. 1,000 extra.
You can get a copy of PTCL bill online here.
Check following table for more details on tariff:

Limited Broadband Packages (50GB Download)	Unlimited Broadband Packages
4Mbps – Rs. 2000	4Mbps – Rs. 3000
6Mbps – Rs. 5000	6Mbps – Rs. 6000
8Mbps – Rs. 7000	8Mbps – Rs. 8000

• 1Mbps, 2 Mbps, 10Mbps, 20Mbps and 50 Mbps are still unlimited.
• Up-mentioned PTCL Broadband rates are applicable since 1^st of August, 2011.

PTCL claims to have 668,376 broadband customers in over 1000 cities across Pakistan.
Update:
PTCL has contacted us to communicate that they sent out letters and made calls to all customers who were about to reach 50 GB limit to notify them about monthly data limit.

Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has signed a nationwide distribution agreement for EVO and related products with Muller & Phipps, said to be the largest and oldest distribution company established in 1912.
With this agreement PTCL intends to reach every nook and corner of Pakistan with an extensive retail network and state-of-the-art supply and logistic processes.
PTCL SEVP Abdulla Yousef Abdulla and CEO and MD of Muller & Phipps Kamran Irshad signed the agreement at a ceremony held at the PTCL head office in Karachi.
“We have the largest wireless broadband network in Pakistan, and with this partnership with Muller and Phipps, we have created the largest distribution network for EVO devices across Pakistan. Our aim is to facilitate our customers to avail the benefits of broadband Internet service both in wireless coverage and device availability,” said Abdullah Yousef Abdullah.
EVO offers customers a “superior 3G Internet experience”, with flexibility to roam freely like never before, in more than 100 cities nationwide. Just plug and play at work or home with unsurpassed and amazing speed of up to 3.1Mbps, backed by the country’s largest wireless service provider.
With a variety of flexible service packages, the EVO service may be availed by everyone from all walks of life.
From students to professionals to enthusiasts there is a service plan for EVO for every type of budget.

PTCL has introduced this above pictured 7 inch tablet device as August 14th Dhamaka to celebrate the Independence Day. PTCL’s 3G Evo Tab boasts built-in EVO service to offer wireless broadband internet on the go.
After the launch of Ufone Futura (which offered GSM voice and EVO Broadband), one such high-end device was very much expected. And here we have a mid-range touch screen, Android Froyo powered device at a price tag of Rs. 27,999 (three months of free unlimited internet included).
With EVO coverage in more than 100 cities, PTCL definitely had a chance to come up with a CDMA compatible smartphone or tablet. They can win handsome number of subscribers before 3G could practically hit the market in 2012 or beyond.
With this EVO tab, PTCL is now part of smartphone competition that was earlier geared by cellular companies only. Probably a good solution for those who require high speed internet while on the go.
Though PTCL isn’t disclosing the original manufacturer of this tablet; their helpline said they don’t have any words on the make or model – but we are pretty certain (thanks to a reader’s comment below) that it’s Indonesia made IVIO Twilight 7 device or it’s little variant maybe that is tailored specifically for PTCL.
Ivio is a brand owned by an Indonesian company PT. Intersys. They develop mobile devices like modems, handsets, and at least 1 Android tablet.
Following is the device image being displayed on IVIO official page, which looks pretty similar to PTCL’s EVO Tab

It merits mentioning here that PTCL’s EVO Tab supports GSM network as well, meaning that, you can use cellular SIM for voice calls too. Having a bluetooth earphone will be added advantage – or you can use speakerphone for voice calls. P.S. We are not sure if PTCL allows you to use cellular SIM or not.

Specifications:

Size & Weight:

• Size: 199*114*12mm
• Weight: 429g

Display:

• 7” screen
• WVGA LCD 800X480 resolution
• Capacitive touch screen
• Multi-Touch

Memory:

• 512 MB (RAM) & 512 MB (ROM)
• Micro Slot up to 32 GB

Cellular & Wireless:

• Support EVDO/CDMA 1X 1900Mhz,
• GSM/GPRS/ EDGE/UMTS Quad-band: 850/900/1800/1900/ UMTS 2100Mhz
• Dual Mode: EVDO or UMTS

Processor:

• Qualcomm MSM7627T (Turbo) 800Mhz

Operating System:

• Android Froyo OS Smartphone 2.2

Sensors:

• G-Sensor
• Light Sensor
• Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth EDR 2.1

Camera

• 5 Megapixel rear Auto Focus,
• VGA Secondary front Camera

Input/output:

• USB Port
• Ear phone port
• TF card slot
• SD card Slots

Battery

• 3500 mAh internal Battery
• 7hours usage
• 140hours standby time

In the Box:

• 3G Evo Tab
• Stereo Earphones with Mic
• Micro USB Cable
• USB Power Adapter
• Free Sleeve Pouch
• Documentation
• Warranty Card

Warranty

PTCL Evo Tab comes with 1 Year after sales & service warranty. Please refer to limited warranty statement on Warranty Card placed inside the box for complete terms & conditions.

Price and EVO Tariff:

As a part of launch offering, PTCL is selling EVO Tab with 3, 6 or 12 month contract for EVO unlimited package at following rates:

• EVO Tab + 3 Months Unlimited EVO = Rs. 27,999
• EVO Tab + 6 Months Unlimited EVO = Rs. 29,999
• EVO Tab + 12 Months Unlimited EVO = Rs. 31,999

After the launch offer, usual 3G EVO pricing would be as following:

• Evo Tab Unlimited (Unlimited data volume): Rs. 2,000
• Evo Tab 5 GB (5GB Data Volume): Rs. 1,500
• Evo Tab 2 GB (2 GB Data Volume): Rs. 1,000

PTCL is giving away Ramadan promotions for both its landline as well as wireless connections. Now for each recharge on your VPTCL wireless, you will get double amount in balance.
Double Balance promotion gives you additional balance equal to the denomination of your card but unfortunately this offer is not for scratch cards worth Rs. 100. Only following scratch cards will qualify for this double balance offer:

• Rs. 300
• Rs. 500
• Rs. 1000
• Rs. 2000

Also note that free balance can only be utilized for on-net calls only i.e. all calls made to Vfone and PTCL landline connections will be first charged from your bonus balance and then original account balance whereas calls to cellular networks will be charged from your original balance.
Bonus balance can be used for internet usage as well as SMS on both on-net and 0ff-net numbers.
Validity:

• Bonus balance will have a validity of 15 days

Terms and Conditions:

• Free balance offer will be applicable only for WIN subscribers & not for WIPT i.e. not for VPCO
• This is a limited time offer and will expire on 25^th August, 2011

Broadband subscribers in Pakistan reached 1.40 million mark – compared to 900,000 subscribers, 11 months ago – adding half a million broadband users in last fiscal year, reported Pakistan Telecommunication Authority in it’s latest stats.
DSL subscribers rose to 654,707 compared with 476,722 subscribers in June 2010, while the number of WiMAX internet users increased to 397,155 from 257,616 subscribers a year ago.
EVDO subscribers showed highest growth in the outgoing year by taking the subscriber base from 111,194 subscribers a year ago to 294,161 subscribers in May 2011.
Trends show that DSL and EVDO subscribers are growing evenly with WiMAX operators catching them up swiftly.
In the outgoing year, EVDO subscribers’ share in broadband market grew from 12 percent to 21 percent, while DSL’s share went down to 47 % from 53 % during the reported period.
Universal Service Fund played a major role in this year’s broadband growth. USF claims that broadband operators this year added 250,000 customers with the help of USF funding. PTCL remains the largest beneficiary by having 50 percent of broadband projects launched by USF.

PTCL is incentivizing it’s potential customers to get on-board during Ramadan to enjoy free cordless handsets.
Basically there are two types of phones that PTCL is aiming to giveaway for free.
One is cordless and other is wired. Keep reading to know more about details
Single-play (Regular Phone):
Single play, or only landline package: New customers will get free Telephone sets (CLI & Non-CLI) with the installation of each new telephone connection
Double-play (Cordless Phones):
Customer will be given free Cordless phone on new subscriptions for Double Up Unlimited after payment of first bill after subscription.
The customers will be contacted through PTCL Contact center and subscriptions will be acquired through up-selling. The cordless sets will then sent through courier.
BTW, double-play means you get broadband and landline services from PTCL. If you plan to buy double-play unlimited packages

Pakistan Telecommunication Limited (PTCL) has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Auqaf Organization Punjab, for providing IP Surveillance System at different shrines of Punjab.
Auqaf Organization is a Punjab Government looking after the administration of 500+ Shrines and 400+ mosques all over Punjab. In the first phase of this project, PTCL will deploy state of the art IP Video Surveillance system at 15 shrines making the security of these shrines fool proof.
The MOU signing ceremony was held at Awan e Auqaf Lahore. SEVP Business Zone Lahore Mr. Nasir Iqbal signed the MoU on behalf of PTCL while Chief Administrator Auqaf Mr. Tariq Mehmood Pasha signed the MoU on behalf of Auqaf Organization. EVP CS & PD Mr. Niaz Malik, GM CS Mr. Muhammad Basharat Qureshi, Khatib Badshahi Mosque Maulana Syed Abdul Khair Azad and Director Administration Auqaf Mr. Tariq Mehmood Javed were also present on the occasion.
According to the MoU, PTCL will provide IP surveillance system at 15 Shrines all over Punjab. This will include installation of Cameras and Storage System at each shrine along with a monitoring facility and resident engineer to ensure smooth running of the system. Security System at all these shrines will aggregate at a Centralized Control Room, to be established at Lahore, for remote monitoring as well as storage purpose over PTCL provided network.
SEVP Business Development Hamid Farooq stated,

“This IP Surveillance System will be based on Build Own and Operate (BOO) model .And after successful installation of IP Surveillance System in 1st Phase, Auqaf Department and PTCL would move forward to 2nd phase, where another 15 shrines of Punjab will be provided these services”.

EVP corporate solutions PTCL Niaz Malik stated,

“The Establishment of this Surveillance System will not only improve the security conditions at these Shrines but will also be serving Auqaf to monitor the Cash Collection System at the Shrines. Hence, providing public safety as well as curbing the revenue pilferage”.

This Ramadan PTCL allows you to download unlimited data on PTCL’s National Broadband Package.
Broadband National Package was earlier introduced for low-end users with 256 Kbps connection speed and a monthly cap of 1 GB only.
Recently PTCL brought major changes for it’s broadband packages and capped them at 50 GB per month download limit. Here PTCL is probably trying to compensate it’s users to some extent.
Now for the whole month of Ramadan and then in September, you can enjoy unlimited downloads at same price tag i.e Rs. 299.
This promotion will be applicable from 1st of August to 30th of September.

PTCL has revised its international call rates and billing cycle as well.
Now you can make international calls at a tariff of Rs. 1.25 + tax per 30 second which was earlier Rs. 2 + tax per min.
This offer is valid for both mobile and landlines in selected countries and will be effective from 1st of August, 2011.
Note that this offer is pre-activated on all PTCL numbers so you do not need to activate it yourself. New tariff will be applicable automatically, after the given date.
List of the countries:
Landline:

• Australia
• Belgium
• Canada
• China
• Cyprus
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hong Kong
• Italy, Japan
• Malaysia
• Netherlands
• Norway
• South Korea
• Spain
• Sweden
• Taiwan
• UK
• USA

Mobile:

• Canada
• China
• Hong Kong
• USA

Sources told us that PTCL has revised its student package’s tariff – increased charges and in addition to this, 4Mbps, 6Mbps and 8Mbps have also been capped by a monthly download limit of 50GB.
PTCL’s 1Mbps broadband connection is available in student package as well as simple bundled package. PTCL has revised monthly charges for student package whereas charges for the bundle offer, which gives you 1Mbps connection with 150 on-net free minutes and unlimited ‘Keh Do SMS’, are same. New tariff is as follows:
Student Package:

• New monthly charges: Rs. 929 (earlier they were Rs. 879)

Simple Bundled Package:

• Bundle package charges are same, i.e. Rs. 999

4Mbps, 6Mbps and 8Mbps Are No More UNLIMITED!
Apart from revising the tariff, PTCL has taken a big step here in capping the above mentioned connections with a monthly usage limit of 50GB.
Seems like PTCL, here, is following WiMax provider by applying this data usage limit. Those who were already using these connections are aware of the fact that 50GB can easily be consumed in less than one week.
So from now onwards, be sure that if you go beyond this monthly limit, additional charges of Rs. 1000 will be applied.
On the other hand you can take it as revised broadband packages i.e. with and without monthly cap. By paying additional Rs. 1000 you go unlimited i.e. PTCL isn’t charging/measuring over usage.
So the revised tariff comes out to be:

Limited Broadband Packages (50GB Download)	Unlimited Broadband Packages
4Mbps – Rs. 2000	4Mbps – Rs. 3000
6Mbps – Rs. 5000	6Mbps – Rs. 6000
8Mbps – Rs. 7000	8Mbps – Rs. 8000

Note that 1Mbps, 10Mbps, 20Mbps and 50 Mbps are still unlimited.
These revisions will be effective from 1^st of August, 2011.

PTCL is offering one month free, on EVO Wifi Cloud, for those customers who will pay for two months in advance.
If you are going to buy new EVO Wifi, you can get one month free by paying in advance as this offer is for new customers only.
How much to Pay?
In total, you have to pay upfront charges of  Rs. 11,000, explained below:

• Rs. 7000 as EVO Wifi device charges
• Rs. 4000 for two months’ line rent

You will be able to enjoy 3 months internet and from 4th month, regular monthly billing of Rs. 2000 will start.
Note that this offer is  for new customers only and is valid for both PSTN and Non-PSTN packages.
So if you are already EVO USB user and had planned to upgrade, may be this is the right time for you, if you can afford the upfront charges. While for the new customers, offer seems to be pretty non-attractive one as who will pay Rs. 11,000 at once to save Rs. 2000?

Finally! PTCL has officially announced the launch of 50Mbps barodband for home users.
Earlier PTCL was offering 50 Mbps connections to test customers only, in selected cities. Sources confirmed that it was available within one kilometre radius of the exchange, while in test phase.
Now PTCL has officially launched this mega broadband package in four major citites i.e. Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad and Rawalpindi. It is said that almost whole of the above mentioned cities are covered as this service is available throughout the cites but still you can get final words from feasibility test team of PTCL in your area.
In addition to 50Mbps, PTCL has also introduced 20Mbps broadband package.
Note that PTCL will be using another copper line in addition to your previous one, for this technology. So VDSL 2 technology will work on 2 copper based lines to enhance bandwidth. Also it is said that PTCL is first operator in the world to implement this VDSL 2 technology on its existing copper network.
Packages:
Following are the three packages, available on this VDSL 2 technology
10 Mbps VDSL

• Package Price Rs.9,999
• Installation Charges inclusive of Modem Charges: Rs.10,000

20Mbps VDSL

• Package Price Rs.15,000
• Installation Charges inclusive of Modem Charges: Rs.10,000

50 Mbps VDSL

• Package Price Rs.20,000
• Installation Charges inclusive of Modem Charges: Rs.10,000

PTCL has introduced Vfone non-stop package which allows you to make unlimited call to any on-net number at an expense of Rs. 1+ tax.
All on-net calls will be charged Rs. 1 + tax (Rs. 1.31 including tax) at the time of dialling. These ‘call set-up charges’ will be applicable every time you dial any Vfone or PTCL number. After this calls will be truly unlimited without any duration limit.
Other package details are as follows:

• Vfone to Vfone: Rs. 1 plus tax per call
• Vfone to PTCL: Rs. 1 plus tax per call
• Vfone to Mobile & other LLOs: Rs. 1.30 per min
• Vfone Internet: Rs. 2.00 per 15 min
• SMS to all networks: Rs. 0.30 per SMS

Daily Line Rent:
Note that this package has a daily line rent of Rs. 10 + tax as well. (comes out to be Rs. 13.15 including tax)
Terms & Conditions:

•  Existing customers can dial 1015(3) to change their package
• First package change is free for all customers
• All rates are exclusive of taxes

PTCL had earlier introduced “Vfone Grand Recharge Offer” for those customers who hadn’t used their Vfones for quite a time.
The company is back again with this offer, giving you double balance on recharge.
If you have not recharged your Vfone account after March 15, 2011 then load a Vfone scratch card of any denomination now and get an extra balance, exactly equal to card load.
Terms and Conditions:

• Free balance can be utilized for calling on-net (V-V, V-PSTN Local & NWD)
• Free balance can be utilized for Internet and SMS (on-net and off-net)
• The validity of free balance will be 30 days only
• Free balance offer will be applicable only for WIN subscribers & not for WIPT i.e. not for VPCO

PTCL in its recent most third quarterly financial report has said that Ufone’s revenues have increased by 16 percent during first three quarters of 2010-2011 ending March 31st, 2011 when compared to same duration last year.
Without mentioning the figures, report said that Ufone, the wholly owned subsidiary of PTCL, managed to raise its profits by 78 percent during the reported period than the same period last year.
On other hands, Quarterly report said that PTCL’s revenue decreased by 5%. The PTCL Group Revenue of Rs. 77.38 billion for the period under review was 5 % higher compared to the corresponding period last year.
The Group net profit of Rs. 7.91 billion showed a 14% decline compared to same period last year.
Complete financial report can be downloaded by clicking this link

It’s 6^th of May today, which means its almost 5 months since PTCL got its website redesigned.
This new design was very much puffed up by the visitors and it indeed is a professional as well as captivating one. But still one important section, PTCL is ignorant of, is Online Complaint Form.

You can find this almost at the bottom of every page; visit this link to have a look http://www.ptcl.com.pk/press_release.php
And when you try to register a complaint by clicking the button, nothing happens. Rather it is just a button with no value (in terms of coding, where you need to give certain link as value to the button where user will land after clicking on that).
Surely it is there since the website got redesigned and seems like PTCL administration is ignorant enough about this that even after 5 months, the issue is still there.
Note that PTCL’s website is developed by XOR Logics and the Theme is designed by O3 Interfaces. It merits mentioning here that there was earlier an issue with the meta tags which was fixed after ProPakistani’s post, where the developers were using meta tags of their personal benefits in website’s description.
This time there is another glitch in the website and infact a bigger one. As this section, if works, will surely add ease to life where you can simply register as well as manage your complaints online.
So let’s wait and see when the action is taken. Will we be able to have a functional online complaint management system or the “section” will be there as it is.
Update:
PTCL has fixed the issue after ProPakistani’s post and it is working now. Thumbs Up PTCL guys, you did it in one day while it was pending for months.
PTCL has added three modes to interact:

• Complains
• Suggestions
• General Inquiries

Complaint system is now fully working and you can file your complaints as well as give your suggestions. But still the system is not a management one, since you can just submit a complain without any post-control or record, rather PTCL could have add a login based system to make it fully “Online Complaint Management System”.
Whatsoever, the good point is, PTCL has given another facility to file the complaints against your problems, without calling  helplines and waiting for the long periods.