LAHORE - SALMAN ABDUHU - The government can now issue more Long Distance International (LDI) licence, as restriction on the issuance of LDI license in the country due to Sales Purchase Agreement (SPA) with Eitisalat is over now.
Cell companies are anxiously waiting to get the LDI licence, as the CMPak is also all set to launch its services once it is succeeded to get the licence for desired service, telecom industry sources said. They informed that it has been a long time since the company was promised to provide LDI licence.
Telecom industry sources said that it is the only cellular operator which does not have a Long Distance & International License in both Pakistan and AJK & GB which puts the company in a position of competitive disadvantage viz-a-viz other cellular mobile operators. The company’s request for LDI license in Pakistan and FATA was approved by the Federal Cabinet during its meeting held on September 24, 2008. However the license could not be issued due to the seven years watch hold imposed on new licensing. The watch hold on new licensing was imposed on account of the moratorium signed by the government with Etisalat International as part of the Share Purchase Agreement of Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL).
Although the watch hold was never shared with CMCC by PTA at the time of strategic investment, still the operator honored the commitments of the government and waited for the completion of watch hold period, they said. Now the watch hold period has completed on 23rd March, 2013, they added.
Since the operator has already paid heavy price to honor government commitments with Etisalat, it is high time that government honor its commitments and award long distance and international license to CMPak, observed Sikandar Naqi, Advisor to CEO while talking to The Nation. This act will enhance investor confidence in government policies and commitments and will ensure high proceeds for Pakistan in the upcoming 3G spectrum auction, he added.
He said that the operator has invested $2 billion in Pakistan so far, generating more than 1700 direct and over 40,000 indirect jobs in the country.