ISLAMABAD ( ABRAR MUSTAFA )
Pakistan Telecom Authority is now in a pickle. With the announcement by Mobilink and Warid to merge the companies, it seems that any chance of auction for 3G/4G is now over.
Telecom companies that had earlier told the regulatory authority that they were not interested in investing in another auction as the economic situation of the telecom sector was not favorable for them. However with the merger between Mobilink and Warid, it seems that the situation is now completely unfavorable for anyone to invest.
Firstly Mobilink will be getting 4G LTE license with the complete subscribers of Warid. This makes it not only the leading telecom company in the country but also helps the company to get lead from Zong by becoming second company to have 3G and 4G license.
Secondly Zong has been angry with PTA for some time as they have been complaining to the regulatory body that it has not received what was promised to it.
These factors are not going to help PTA which was aiming for another auction. In fact according to reports, TelecoAlert.com has learned that Government of Pakistan has now removed the auction from the books as a possible revenue source.