Ufone claims all documents submitted
The further actions over 5G spectrum auction is subjected to the Telenor –PTCL merger, and the matter was with the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP), whereas the Commission blames the Ufone for not providing the relevant documents needed to finalise the merger decision.
The minister for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima has said that the spectrum auction of 5G was being delayed mainly due to some litigation and primarily in-wake of unclear ground realities related to the merger of Telenor Pakistan with the Pakistan Telecommunication Company (PTCL).
“The Competition Commission of Pakistan has to decide on the merger of the two telecom companies,” the minister said, adding, “The CCP is an independent body and its approval is awaited.”
She said talking to media, in a bid to clarify that neither her ministry nor the government can pressurise the CCP to make an early decision in this regard.
She added that the 5G Spectrum Auction Advisory Committee headed by the finance minister has to give its opinion on the decision of the CCP regarding PTCL-Telenor Pakistan merger.
Meanwhile, responding to the query over the delays in the merger decision a senior official of the CCP said that the Ufone was regularly avoiding submission of relevant documents and the audit report as well as financial account details of Ufone was still awaited.
“Clarity has been sought as the documents submitted by Ufone were not the applicable format and were confusing,” the official added.
The Ufone management is suspected to be deliberately avoiding the submission of company’s accounts possibly to hide the continuous loss making spree over the decade, on the contrary the other three telecos – Jazz, Zong and the Telenor-Pakistan have been making profits.
Whereas, the spokesperson PTCL- Ufone did not respond to the allegation made by CCP despite passing of few days.
Currently there are four telecos in Pakistan, with Jazz leading the arena with more than 37 percent of market share, followed by 26 percent share of Zong, the third largest telecom company in country was Telenor Pakistan with more than 22 percent of market share.
While, the lowest number of subscribers are with Ufone, accounting to only 13 percent total SIM holders.
The 5G spectrum Auction Advisory Committee and the international consultant will devise the auction format only after the number of telecom companies in country is clear.
In case of merger the terms and conditions as well as the auction format will be different as there will be only three players in the field.
