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.

PTCL has extended an assistance of Rs. 2.3 million to demonstrate its support for the recently concluded event specially organized for the children of Pakistan Sweet Homes.

A project of PBM, the nationwide established Sweet Homes provide quality housing and education to nearly 3000 orphaned children across Pakistan.
“As a socially responsible corporate entity, PTCL has always endeavored to stand on the frontlines of social service for the people of Pakistan, whether they are vulnerable groups or affectees of natural disasters,” said Mr. Hussain on the occasion of the Annual Sports Gala celebrated by the children of Pakistan Sweet Homes to mark Pakistan Day on March 23rd.

Held in Jinnah Sports Complex, Islamabad from March 19-25, the Sports Gala was actively participated in by children who were provided an exciting opportunity for fun, games and sports gear through partnership between PBM and PTCL.

The colorful ceremony held at Jinnah Sports Complex, Islamabad was attended by Speaker National Assembly, Dr. Fehmida Mirza; President Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Sardar Yaqoob Khan; Minister of Kashmir Affairs & Northern Areas, Mian Manzoor Watoo; Managing Director, Pakistan Bait-ul- Maal (PBM), Zamarrud Khan, and hundreds of dignitaries and people from various sections of society.

“PTCL takes great pleasure in celebrating this significant occasion with these beautiful and talented children of Pakistan Sweet Homes from all over Pakistan who have made this event vibrant and colorful,” said Mr. Mazhar Hussain. “What better day than today for PTCL to be with all of you and reflect the true spirit of Pakistanis as a united nation!”

Speaking on the occasion, MD PBM, Zamarud Khan especially thanked PTCL for its generous gift for the children of Sweet Homes. He also thanked PTCL Senior Executive Vice President HR, Syed Mazhar Hussain for attending the ceremony and encouraging the children.

Pakistan is considered as highly potential country for its talented human resource; this is particularly valid for telecom sector.

This is also evident from the fact that top level professionals at Nokia Pakistan were recently promoted and shifted to different key level positions in various regions.

Haseeb Ihtisham, Marketing Head of Nokia Pakistan has been promoted to region’s head to look after company’ business in four countries including Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq.

Reza Burney, Head of Care at Nokia Pakistan has been designated as Head of Care Near East Region with countries including Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran and Iraq.

Shoaib Kadri has been elevated to Business Controllers Nokia for Near East Region, who also served Nokia in Pakistan under the same capacity.

All these officials were previously working in Pakistan but they were also looking after commercial affairs of Afghanistan through distribution channels.

Arif Shafique, was elevated to the position of Country Manager Pakistan Afghanistan earlier this year, after Khalid Alvi left regional charge of Nokia for personal reasons.

Shafique is also a local talent and has been promoted as head of the organization for his successful performance at Nokia in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Besides, Imran Khalid, who was transferred to Saudi Arabia from Pakistan as Country Manger in June 2011, has also been promoted. He is now Vice President of Near East Region.

Overall, the key officials of Nokia Pakistan and Afghanistan have been recognized as professionally sound and unmatchable in the entire region.