ISLAMABAD ( ABRAR MUSTAFA )
In a shocking turn of events, cellular mobile operators have expressed serious concerns over the “Online” Auction Methodology being adopted by the PTA for the upcoming 3G/4G Auction and may not participate in the 3G/4G auction at all. According to details, a high profile meeting was held between the CEOs of the existing cellular mobile operators on 4th March, 2014, where all the operators unanimously expressed their reservations on the transparency and openness of the online auction methodology being stated in the Information memorandum (IM) released by PTA last week . It has also been decided in the same meeting that the existing operators may not participate in the 3G/4G Auction altogether if the controversial clause is not removed from the IM.
The concern was also communicated to PTA jointly by the cellular operators and the regulator called up an immediate meeting of the CEOs at PTA Headquarters Wednesday evening. It has been learnt that Chairman PTA has assured the cellular companies that their concern will be adequately addressed by the regulator and the matter is most likely to be placed before the Federal Minister for Finance for the final word. This is also a clear indication that the government of Pakistan is monitoring the whole auction process directly.
It may be pointed out here that PTA had earlier published the much awaited IM for the upcoming 3G/4G auction and given the deadline of 10th March, 2014 for comments/suggestions by the interested bidders. After incorporating the concerns received from the industry, final version of the IM will be published on 17th March, 2014 by the PTA.