PakFellows Blog » Telecommunication

News of Bin Laden’s Death and Social Media’s Power of Communication

Sidrah Zaheer — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 16:01:42 +0000

I was about to sign out of my email account, when there appeared a new email in my inbox. I immediately opened it to check it out. It was from one of the citizen journalism social networking sites I am a member of. All it said without any details to the information was that Bin Laden died. He was killed finally. How was it all done, the email did not elaborate. Just as this email came to my inbox due to subscription to its newsletters, it went to many others too for revealing one the biggest headlines of the year.

I was intending to shut down my computer to carry on with the day’s routine. But when I received the email, I changed my whole plan of following on my usual routine, at least for the next forty minutes or so. All I was curious to know was how did Bin Laden meet his death. Indeed, it was good news, but not a relieving one. Since killing the name behind the terrorist attacks on 9/11 doesn’t finish off the evil intent his other co-networkers still hold.

I went to Google further about Bin Laden’s death to get the details. There was a whole stream of updates scrolling from the micro-blogging website, Twitter. Almost each second, people from all around the world, were tweeting their reactions about the news and their feelings on the matter. Everyone from journalists to news readers, all were there streaming their immediate thoughts. It is amazing how the breaking news of Bin Laden’s death was actually broken by Twitter. The world came to know of one of the greatest headlines in recent history, but not through mainstream news media, but through the social networking website, Twitter.

Although it does show the status Twitter has achieved and the importance of connectivity through social networking in this advanced era of fast communication, it also tells us how any news can be spread instantly without any detailed analysis. The first impact is obtained and a perspective fixed at the outset. This is the power of social media and it is growing ever more.

This year is the 10^th anniversary of the dreadful events in the New York City in 2001. Let us hope that just as the evolution of social media has given us such communicative power, different nations from around the world also evolve in their understanding of each other and learn to respect their differences in cultures and traditions. Though there are many different languages, but keeping in mind the essential purpose of a language, which is communication, let us negotiate and build bridges. Living peacefully together and co-existing in harmony is what I hope can attain such power of connectivity as social media has today.

Free SMS to any number in Pakistan

Saeed — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 14:15:55 +0000

And yet again, Aamir brings another very useful list of resources – this time for sending SMS’s to almost any network in Pakistan. Thank you for this excellent list, Aamir!

Hamariweb

Hamariweb.com has a section that offers Free SMS to Mobile numbers in Pakistan. But you need to register first with a valid mobile number.

After signup, you will have to verify your mobile number by entering verification code that you get on your Phone through SMS.

Once account is verified, you can start sending Free SMS to any network in Pakistan.

FoodCourt.Pk

Another option is foodcourt.pk, which is very much similar to Hamriweb, but let me tell you that Hamariweb.com is more reliable than Foodcourt.

iSMS.pk

iSMS.pk is in public beta for a while now. iSMS differs from other two websites in a way that it offers signups with email too, meaning that overseas Pakistani visitors can also sign-up and send free SMS.

There are quite of a few other SMS solutions out there but I did not have a good experience with them. With a busy life schedule, I want reliable and trustworthy applications. A service which allows me to send quick sms to Pk mobile is high on my list of everyday use, must-have apps. If you have a favorite sms application, do share your experience with us.

Please note that all these Free SMS websites use regular mobile phones attached with their servers. SMS Messages that you input on their website is transferred to Mobile Phone which sends that Message using a regular SIM.

Be informed that these websites are not 100 percent reliable, due to following reasons:

There comes some error with their server

Maybe mobile phone attached with computer turns off

Balance in SIM that is being used gets expired

or there can be many any other reasons too

So, I advise you to test system before sending SMS to desired network by sending one SMS to your own number. For those who are outside Pakistan and are interested in sending SMS, you may need a friend to help you guys out in this.

Get free balance of Rs. 250 with Telenor’s new SIM

Saeed — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 18:08:42 +0000

All new Telenor Prepaid connections now come with a chance to get bonus balance of Rs. 250.

How to Get this Rs. 250 Balance

Your Telenor SIM comes with Rs. 100 balance in it
Remaining Rs. 150 can be obtained in three months – with Rs. 50 balance each month, but for that you will have to load balance of Rs. 100 or more each month. You do not need to load Rs. 100 at once, but you can load these Rs. 100 in parts as well.
Balance will be posted in the month after the month in which a subscriber did a recharge of Rs. 100 or more.
The subscriber will receive a SMS message from Telenor tell the subscriber he/she has received Rs. 50 of free balance.

For example, A new subscriber gets his/her SIM in October. Recharge: Rs. 120 in October, Rs. 100 in November, Rs. 200 in December. This subscriber will be given a free bonus of Rs. 50 in November, Rs. 50 in December and Rs. 50 in January 2009.

Who Qualifies for this offer?

All new prepaid Telenor customers, with any package, can avail this (until the offer lasts)

Terms:

Free balance can be used for any activity through your Telenor SIM
Validity of Free bonus will be as of last recharge/e-load, i.e. the validity of account will not be changed when the balance is posted.
You can migrate to different packages and still be eligible for the campaign.
This is a limited time Offer.

Source: Get Free Balance of Rs. 250 with Telenor’s New SIM

China to launch Telecom Satellite for Pakistan in 2011

Saeed — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 16:16:15 +0000

Pakistan’s fastest friend, China has announced to launch a telecommunication satellite, named PakSat-1R, for Pakistan in year 2011. The satellite’s chief contractor China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC) has lately reported that a Long March 3B rocket will be used to put the satellite into orbit. It will launch from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in the south western Sichuan province.

According to Business Recorder the satellite company will manage ground control facilities for the satellite to be delivered to the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission after it enters orbit. CGWIC and its sub-contractors are responsible for the design, manufacturing, final assembly, testing and launch of the satellite.

Paksat-1R will have a life span of 15 years. Pakistan will use it for domestic telecommunication and broadcast services. Contracts for the satellite deal were inked during President Asif Ali Zardari’s recent visit to China.

Source: China to Launch Telecom Satellite for Pakistan in 2011

10.5 million unverified mobile connections blocked

Saeed — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 09:28:13 +0000

Original post by Babar Bhatti at State of Telecom Industry in Pakistan

While many numbers and policies have been floating around for the unverified SIM issue, PTA has issued a new statement which I am sharing here. As we know this has been one of the most difficult issues for the industry. A few big changes announced:

The control of sale/verification will shift from Franchisee/Retailers to Mobile Companies
No more than 10 connections against single person (CNIC)

Not only has it required a change in the way business has been done but it also has made an impact on the revenues and that too in an already difficult economic and business environment. This shows how important it is to craft thoughtful policies at the beginning. Any mess that you try to fix after it is in the market takes a much longer time and effort.

Chairman, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Dr. Mohammed Yaseen presided over a high level meeting of Chief Executive Officers of all Mobile Companies on 7th October, 2008 to discuss the progress of different deadlines given by PTA for blocking of unregistered SIMs, blocking of more than 10 connections on single CNIC and on the proposed project for activation of SIMs After verification.

Chairman PTA showed great concerns on the outcome of recently concluded survey of franchisee and retailers done jointly by PTA and Mobile Companies. The results showed violation of Standing Operating Procedure (SOP) on verification by franchisees and retailers. He further emphasized that PTA may take stern action against the Mobile Companies on the basis of these violations.

The meeting was informed that after considerable efforts total 10.5 million connections have been blocked so far. In first phase connections sold uptill 30th April, 2008 have got verified through NADRA. More than 7.3 million connections found unverified have been blocked. In the second phase, PTA is endeavoring to clean subscriber’s data of connections sold from 1st May, 2008 to 30th May, 2008. Uptill now a total of 0.6 million connections which remained unverified have been blocked.

SOP on verification also binds the Mobile Companies to block more than 10 connections against single CNIC. Mobile companies were asked to block additional connections by 30th September, 2008. Uptill now 2.6 million of extra connections have been blocked.

Chairman PTA further informed the CEOs that a considerable improvement has been seen in the verification process, however PTA feels that unless sale of Pre-active SIMs are not stopped, full implementation on the SOP will not be possible. The meeting discussed in detail the proposed system under which company will sell non activated SIMs and Mobile companies will activate the SIM after verification of subscriber’s antecedents from NADRA. The proposed system will have number of advantages like; The control of sale /verification will shift from Franchisee/Retailers to Mobile Companies; It will have added security parameters and being automated will be more reliable.

Since this is new concept which requires considerable operational and administrative arrangements, therefore Chairman PTA formulated a working group of Cellular Mobile Companies, NADRA and PTA to propose workable solution so that all aspects of verification is catered, by 20th October 2008.

Enjoy Free V to V and V to PTCL Calls With Vfone Unlimited

Saeed — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 02:42:17 +0000

As anticipated, PTCL has launched a new package for its (WLL) Vfone customers. As the name say, “Vfone Unlimited”, offers you unlimited calls to Vfone to Vfone and Vfone to PTCL Landline numbers at a flat rate of Rs. 600 per month (inclusive of all taxes)

Apparently, a very fruitful offer, but I doubt that home users would like to pay this much rental for their Vfone connection. This package also gives a hint that PTCL now wants to capture business customers for its Vfone unit.

Thankfully, this package is not activated by default on all Vfone numbers, like PTCL did with Pakistan Package. Hence, it’s an opt-in option, and you will have to subscribe to Vfone Unlimited package to enjoy free day and night calling.

Furthermore, I hope Vfone Unlimited was introduces with consent of other WLL companies. Because, free on-net calling is not an issue, but free day and night calls to PTCL landline numbers may arise some questions in PTCL’s competitors.

Call Rates for Vfone Unlimited

Line Rent: Rs.20 per day (including taxes)
Vfone to Vfone (Local/NWD): Free
Vfone to PTCL (Local/NWD): Free
Vfone to Other Landline (Local): Rs.1 per minute
Vfone to Other Landline (NWD): Rs.2 per minute
Vfone to Mobile (Local/NWD): Rs.2 per minute
SMS: Free
Internet: Rs.1 per 10 minutes

How to Activate Vfone Unlimited:

To change your package to Vfone Unlimited, you need to dial 1015 or call free helpline 1236.

Daily Charges

Daily subscription charges of Rs.20 apply. The line rent is includes all taxes.

Source: Enjoy Free V to V and V to PTCL Calls With Vfone Unlimited

PTA decides to take conclusive measures against PTCL

Saeed — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 09:37:36 +0000

Originally posted by Aamir Attaa

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has decided to take conclusive measures against PTCL, in case they fail to resolve “Pakistan Package” issue with the authority and other LDI/LL companies in the country.

High level industry sources have revealed that PTA has decided to take severe and conclusive measures against PTCL that has not withdrawn Pakistan Package, despite repetitive directives from the authority.

Sources said that PTCL’s Pakistan Package had raised serious concerns for LDI/LL operators of the country, who have requested Pakistan Telecommunication Authority to play its role in detaining PTCL from continuing its free nation wide calling package, as it is causing them serious losses to their businesses. In response to which authority has directed PTCL to have meeting with LDI/LL operators to get their consent on Pakistan Package within 10 days, other wise authority will have to take decision to hold up the continuity of Pakistan Package.

On an additional note, PTCL launched other packages such as “Phone N Net” and “International Plus Packages” without the approval of the PTA, told a source. On which PTA has warned landline giant to not to repeat this practice again. It maybe recalled that all telecom operators, especially Significant Market Players (SMP) must inform the authority prior to launch of any package.

It merits mentioning here that PTA had directed PTCL to quit Pakistan Package by August 31, 2008, but those directions were put on deaf ears by PTCL administration. Telecom analysts are unable to comprehend PTA’s defensive mode against PTCL, which has been repetitively violating PTA’s directives and apparently PTCL is bluntly ruling the Telecom Sector of Pakistan without any regulations.

“Keh Dou SMS” – Voice SMS service by Zong

Saeed — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 13:13:39 +0000

Original post by Aamir Attaa

If you feel like boring in composing a text message, or if you are busy driving you car, then you have a chance to send an SMS even without typing out messages. Zong offers this service for you, named as “Keh Dou SMS”. With Keh Dou SMS, now you can say your sms rather than composing it. Dial * mobile number and speak what you conventionally would have typed. Whatever that is you felt like saying would really be said, in your own voice & delivered to your friend as a voice SMS.

How to use

To Send a kehdo sms dial * then mobile number of your friend (such as: *03145556669)
Listen to new kehdo sms dial *0*
Listen to old Kehdo SMS dial *1*

	On-Net	X-Net	International (Rs. 2 destinations)
Voice SMS Sending	Rs. 1.5	Rs. 1.5	Rs. 3
New Voice SMS	Rs. 1.5	Rs. 1.5	Rs. 3
Old Voice SMS Retrieval	Rs. 1.5	Rs. 1.5	Rs. 1.5

*all prices mentioned are exclusive of tax.
– VSMS will be 1 minute

PTA takes a severe notice of current advertising practices of cellular companies

Saeed — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 15:28:01 +0000

Just like me, I believe that everyone else is fed up of the latest tactics various cellular companies have been using as a part of their advertisement campaigns. The news that PTA shall be taking stern action against guilty cellular companies comes as a sigh of relief indeed. All I hope is that they actually put into practice such a warning.

Original post by Aamir Attaa

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority will take severe action against those cellular companies that use deceptive marketing strategies to acquire consumers’ attention by falsely claimed or misleading statements and/or facts. This was communicated to all cellular mobile operators of Pakistan through an official notice sent on August 29, 2008

A high level source from a cellular company told that an official letter was sent to them from PTA which said that authority has been observing that some Cellular companies are engaged in such advertisement campaigns which are misleading for general public and are of deceptive nature in its content.

Source confirmed that PTA had already issued warnings to mobile companies, on which telcos paid very little attention and continued their practices to print / or-air such advertisements which enormously increased consumer complaints and questions by the public representatives in the Parliament.

Current notice from PTA further said that print and electronic advertisements published / aired by cellular companies do not contain the details of applicable term and conditions along with the rates or these are vertically printed in unreadable small font making it difficult for the consumers to comprehend the relevant charges as well as the terms and conditions.

Notice asked all cellular companies to make sure that such associated conditions of the advertisements that can have a significant influence on the decision making of the consumer must be disclosed. In addition, the tariff and unit of charging should be in legible font, making it convenient for a consumer to comprehend the applicable terms.

Notice said that all cellular companies are directed to ensure strict compliance with the directives given in the notice. Otherwise authority may take severe action in accordance with the provisions of the Pakistan Telecommunication Act and may conduct public hearing on this.

According to the Telecommunication Act of Pakistan, protecting consumers’ rights is a function of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, and for the purpose they had been issuing several notices to cellular companies. However, authority has not issued any show-cause notice or fined any cellular company for deceptive marketing as of now.

P@SHA Career Expo at Avari Lahore on August 24

Saeed — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:24:31 +0000

On the third leg of its tour the P@SHA Career Expo heads for the land of the five rivers, the Punjab – more specifically Lahore. The event will be held at the Avari Hotel in Lahore on Sunday August 24 from 9 am – 6 pm.

It will include:

A job fair which will see some of Lahore’s prominent IT companies posting jobs for fresh graduates and experienced professionals – Netsol, Infotech, Systems, Bearing Point, Kalsoft, TRG, VahZay, Adamsoft, Intel, IBM etc will all be there
Workshops on Presentation Skills, Resume Writing, How to earn money through Blogging, etc.
Counseling – guidance on career selection and growth
Startup Insiders session from 4 pm – 6 pm for aspiring entrepreneurs

A must-attend event! If you are seeking a job with one of Pakistan’s leading IT or IT Enabled Service companies, don’t forget to come to the P@SHA Career Expo on August 24th where representatives from these companies will all be waiting for the brightest fresh graduates and experienced professionals in Computer Science, Business Studies, Marketing and Management.

Join a US$2 billion industry that has seen continued and tremendous growth and innovation in the last 5 years. No registation required.

Source: http://pashanews.org/?p=151

PakFellows Blog » Telecommunication

News of Bin Laden’s Death and Social Media’s Power of Communication

Similar Articles at PakFellows Blog:

Free SMS to any number in Pakistan

Similar Articles at PakFellows Blog:

Get free balance of Rs. 250 with Telenor’s new SIM

Similar Articles at PakFellows Blog:

China to launch Telecom Satellite for Pakistan in 2011

Similar Articles at PakFellows Blog:

10.5 million unverified mobile connections blocked

Similar Articles at PakFellows Blog:

Enjoy Free V to V and V to PTCL Calls With Vfone Unlimited

Similar Articles at PakFellows Blog:

PTA decides to take conclusive measures against PTCL

“Keh Dou SMS” – Voice SMS service by Zong

Similar Articles at PakFellows Blog:

PTA takes a severe notice of current advertising practices of cellular companies

Similar Articles at PakFellows Blog:

P@SHA Career Expo at Avari Lahore on August 24

Similar Articles at PakFellows Blog: