PTCL Group Posts Double Digit Revenue Growth of 23%

Islamabad- Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), the leading provider of telecom and ICT services in the country, has announced its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2023. The announcement was made during a Board of Directors’ meeting held in Islamabad on April 17, 2023.

During the first quarter of 2023, PTCL Group sustained its momentum and strengthened its position as the leading integrated telecom service provider in Pakistan. Despite the ongoing challenging macroeconomic conditions, the Group achieved a 23.2% growth in its revenue compared to the same period of last year. This substantial growth in revenue is primarily attributable to strong performance in the fixed broadband, mobile data, business solutions, and banking services.

The adverse effects of macroeconomic challenges that emerged in the year 2022 continued to affect businesses in 2023 as well. With continuing increase in the energy and fuel tariffs, telecom operators are faced with significant challenges to provide quality services to their consumers at an affordable price point. Pakistan’s balance of payment issues and restrictions imposed by the State Bank of Pakistan on LC opening have impacted the network roll-out timelines of the operators and also resulted in a significant devaluation of PKR against foreign currencies. This deteriorating Rupee-Dollar parity, rising interest rates and additional taxes on telecom operators, over and above the normal corporate tax, have severely affected the profitability. To mitigate the effects of these challenging issues, policy intervention by the Government is required to provide much needed relief to the sector.

PTCL Group Highlights

PTCL Group’s revenue of Rs 43.2 billion in Q1, 2023 is 23.2% higher as compared to the same period of last year.
The Group’s profitability was, among other factors, particularly affected by the significant bout of devaluation as the Group has unhedged FOREX liabilities. The Group has posted a net loss of Rs 5.7 billion.
PTCL continued its growth by posting 17.1% YoY revenue growth in Q1, 2023.
PTML’s (Ufone) revenue grew by 20.0% YoY as compared to Q1, 2022.
U Bank continued its growth momentum and has achieved a 73.0% growth in its quarterly revenue over the same period of last year.

PTCL Highlights

PTCL’s revenue of Rs 22.95 billion for the quarter is 17.1% higher than Q1 2022, mainly driven by growth in carrier & wholesale and broadband segments.
The company has posted an operating profit of Rs 1.5 billion with a 54.7% growth over last year and a net profit of Rs 5.5 billion for the quarter. Increase in non-operating income, due to translation gain on the Company’s forex denominated receivables, dividend income from a subsidiary and gain on disposal of obsolete assets due to upgrade and fiberization of network, played a significant role in achieving 187.2% increase in the company’s net profit as compared to same period of last year.

PTCL further strengthened its flag ship FTTH brand, ‘Flash Fiber’, by acquiring the highest net adds in the industry, this was possible through exceptional customer experience and aggressive expansion of fiber network across the country. The rapid rollout of FTTH and strong performance in the carrier & wholesale segments ensured PTCL’s topline growth.

PTCL’s recently launched an OTT streaming platform ‘SHOQ’, that provides premium entertainment, sports, and news content to all data users, is bridging the gap for need of high-quality content at an affordable cost. Moreover, PTCL Group partnered with PUBG Mobile and launched the biggest E-Sports gaming competition through its gaming platform ‘GameKey’. The Group also partnered with DE-CIX to establish Internet Exchange, and Vodafone to introduce end-to-end IoT solutions in Pakistan. PTCL marked International Women’s Day 2023 by launching a dedicated voice package, called SheTalks, for its female customers.

PTCL Consumer Business: Steady Performance

The company’s fixed broadband business achieved 17.4% growth in revenue YoY which is primarily attributable to a two-fold increase in Flash Fiber’s revenue and subscribers over comparative quarter. IPTV segment also showed a 6.2% revenue growth YoY. Voice and wireless revenue streams have seen a decline due to continued conversion of customers to OTT services and tough competition from cellular operators.

PTCL Business Services:

Business services segment continued its momentum sustaining market leadership in IP bandwidth, cloud, data center, and other ICT services segments. PTCL’s enterprise business grew by 12.1% as compared to last year, while carrier and wholesale business continued its growth momentum and achieved 36.9% overall revenue growth. International voice revenue has increased by 22.7% as compared to last year. Despite the slowdown of economic activity, overall Business Solutions revenue has shown a remarkable growth of 27.2% on year-on-year basis.

Being the national telecom carrier and connectivity backbone in Pakistan, PTCL Group strives to provide innovative solutions to accelerate growth for a ‘Digital Pakistan’ through robust telecommunication infrastructure and a diverse portfolio of services with enhanced customer experience. PTCL collaborated with the Ministry of Federal Education to develop an app called Teleschool Pakistan, which aims to provide free digital learning for students. The launch of this app by the Prime Minister of Pakistan in March attracted widespread attention across Pakistan.

PTML – Ufone Highlights:

Continuing its growth trajectory, Ufone recorded an impressive 20.0% YoY increase in its revenue. Ufone has recently gained a momentous milestone of achieving 24 million subscribers resulting in a 0.4 percentage point increase in market share. Network modernization activities, carried out in the first quarter of 2023, resulted in better customer experience for Ufone subscribers. With this improved customer experience, growth in engagement acquisition numbers and better data speeds, Ufone has achieved the 2^nd highest customer net adds in the industry during the first quarter. Ufone 4G recently launched a WhatsApp service for a hassle-free customer experience, collaborated with Nestlé Pakistan Limited to establish an advanced customer service solution for Ufone’s BPO operations and partnered with Islamabad United for PSL8.

U Bank Highlights:

Despite an extremely tough macroeconomic environment, U Bank, the microfinance and branchless banking subsidiary of PTCL, continued its growth trajectory and has achieved a remarkable 73.0% growth in revenue and an impressive 64.5% growth in net profit over the comparative quarter of last year, while maintaining a strong balance sheet position. The bank stands resolute in its commitment towards financial and social inclusion, utilizing its extensive outreach to provide exceptional services to a diverse clientele across the length and breadth of the country through its rural retail banking, corporate finance & investment banking, Islamic banking, urban retail banking, corporate banking, and digital banking canvases.

Corporate Social Responsibility:

During the first quarter of 2023, PTCL Group undertook various CSR initiatives to strengthen its position as a national carrier. Amongst these initiatives, Ufone 4G proudly collaborated with ConnectHear to facilitate communication and socialization for the deaf community. The initiative perfectly resonates with Ufone 4G’s brand philosophy of inclusivity, under which we strive to foster equality and shared growth.

PTCL Group runs Ramazan campaign for awareness and donations to support charities

Pakistan’s leading ICT services provider, PTCL Group (PTCL & Ufone 4G) conducted a week-long SMS broadcast campaign to support donations for some of the leading charity organizations in Pakistan, besides helping raise awareness regarding charitable causes and donating to credible organizations. The campaign aims to facilitate charity, compassion and philanthropy – some of the key attributes defining the spirit of the Holy month of Ramazan – to supplement support for the most vulnerable and under previlaged segments of society.

Through the SMS campaign, PTCL and Ufone 4G reached a vast audience and encouraged them to contribute to the right causes in the Holy month of Ramazan. The Group’s customers across the country, especially in major metropolises received donation appeals from Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital, JDC Foundation, Al Shifa Eye Trust, Pink Ribbon, and Indus Hospital. These organizations have an exemplary track record of generating welfare for vulnerable and underpriviliged people in Pakistan by providing free of cost healthcare and economic support. The beneficiaries of these charities are in millions, while an active donor base helps sustain their operations.

The SMS broadcast campaign provided drive and direction for effective charity making, which witnesses a sharp spike during the Holy month of Ramazan. Hopefully, It will not only direct funds to where they are most needed but also enhance the impact of the welfare initiatives.

A large number of donors in Pakistan use UPaisa to make secure and convenient contributions to leading charity and welfare organizations. UPaisa users can make contributions to organizations of their choice from a comprehensive list of charitable organizations available on UPaisa app, or by dialing USSD *786*5*5# from their handset.

PTCL Group mirrors the compassionate spirit of Pakistani nation that is considered to be one of the most charitable nations in the world. PTCL and Ufone 4G have conceived and executed impactful corporate social responsibility and philanthrophic initiatives to stimulate shared value for society.

Through its latest campaign, PTCL Group has resourced and strengthened Pakistani welfare organizations to enhance their reach and impact, so the cycle of goodness continues uninterrupted.

PTCL Group’s Strong Financial Performance: 8% YoY Revenue Growth in 2022

Islamabad: PTCL Group, the country’s leading telecom and ICT services provider, has announced its financial results for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, at its Board of Directors’ meeting held in UAE on October 13, 2022.

PTCL Group remained on the growth trajectory during the third quarter as its fixed and wireless streams continued to perform positively.

PTCL Group Financial Performance

• Revenue has increased by 8% to PKR 110.5 billion YoY, mainly driven by strong performance in the consumer segment led by fixed broadband, mobile data, and wholesale & business solutions, along with microfinance services.
• The Group’s profitability remained under pressure due to significant hike in power and fuel tariffs, devaluation of the Pak Rupee against USD, higher interest rates, and other costs associated with the acquisition of 4G spectrum and related network rollout. The Group has posted a net loss of Rs 5.6 billion.
• PTCL continued its growth momentum by posting 6.7% YoY revenue growth.
• PTML’s (Ufone) revenue grew by 5.4% as compared to the same period of last year.
• U Bank has achieved a 29.8% growth in its revenue over the same period of last year.

PTCL Financial Performance

• PTCL’s revenue of Rs 61.1 billion for the period is 6.7% higher than 2021, mainly driven by growth in broadband and wholesale & business solutions segments.
• The company has posted an operating profit of Rs 3.2 billion, which remained under pressure compared to last year mainly due to increase in operating costs on account of significant hike in power and fuel tariffs.
• Net Profit of Rs 8.2 billion for the period is 45.2% higher as compared to the same period of last year. Increase in non-operating income, due to translation gain on the Company’s forex denominated assets, dividend income from a subsidiary and gain on disposal of obsolete assets due to upgrade and fiberization of network, has helped turn the 12.4% decrease at operating profit level to a 45.2% increase at the net profit level.

PTCL Consumer Business

During the first 3 quarters, the company’s fixed broadband business grew by 11.7% YoY. Within the broadband business, revenues from Flash Fiber, the company’s premium FTTH service, showed significant growth of 98.7%. IPTV also showed 8.6% growth YoY. Voice revenue stream has seen a decline due to lower voice traffic and continued conversion of customers to OTT services.

PTCL continues to perform consistently with enhanced customer experience through the company’s seamless fixed broadband, including the fastest internet service in Pakistan through the Flash Fiber brand. PTCL has expanded its FTTH services in 35 cities, and the subscriber base has doubled on a YoY basis as the company continues to tap into the demand for growing internet and data services.

PTCL Business Solutions

While continuing momentum with overall YoY revenue growth of 8.8%, the business solutions segment sustained its market leadership in IP bandwidth, Cloud, Data Center, and other ICT services. PTCL’s corporate business grew by 13.0% as compared to last year. Within the wholesale business segment, carrier revenue grew by 16.2% but the overall wholesale segment revenue has declined as a result of closure of certain international IP leased circuits. International revenue, helped by the favorable impact of currency devaluation, has increased by 13.9% over last year.

PTML (Ufone) Financial Performance

• PTML’s (Ufone) revenue grew by 5.4% as compared to the same period of last year.
• Data remains the main driver of growth for Ufone through continued investment to expand 4G coverage and conversion of customer base to 4G. As a result, Ufone achieved 3.5 million 4G net adds this year.
• Ufone has posted topline growth despite the challenges of increase in Advance Income Tax (AIT) and reduction in Mobile Termination Rates (MTR) and recent floods in the country.
• External factors like the devaluation of Pak Rupee, rising interest rates and hike in power / fuel tariffs have adversely impacted Ufone’s bottom-line.
• During the second quarter, VIS Credit Rating Company has assigned initial entity ratings of ‘AA-/A-1’ (Double A Minus/A-One) to Ufone with outlook on the assigned ratings as ‘Stable’. This acknowledges the financial strength of Ufone through an independent rating exercise which also denotes high credit quality and good fundamental protection factors and is a testimony of stakeholders’ confidence in Ufone.

U Bank Highlights

UBank, the microfinance and branchless banking subsidiary of PTCL, continued its growth trajectory and achieved 29.8% growth in its revenue over last year by deepening its advances and investment portfolio, despite the challenging macro-economic situation, further exacerbated by the recent flood. The balance sheet footing of the bank reached Rs 122 billion as the bank continued to diversify its asset classes and funding streams while ensuring positive bottom-line impact. As the six business canvases of the bank, namely: Rural Retail Banking, Corporate Finance & Investment Banking, Islamic Banking, Urban Retail Banking, Corporate Banking and Digital Banking take their distinct forms and structures, this year will witness Ubank emerging as a Retail Challenger Bank aiming to extend banking services in accordance with the unique needs of its diverse and heterogenous clientele. With the core mission of microfinance at its heart, the business model of the bank is evolving to capture new segments and customer classes to include more of Pakistan into the banking net and further its ambition of financial and social inclusion.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Being a national carrier and a Pakistani company, PTCL Group during the recent floods has contributed significantly towards the relief and rehabilitation of flood-affected communities across Pakistan. PTCL Group has taken multiple initiatives including donation to PM’s Flood Relief Fund, collaboration with NGOs, PTCL opening the doors of its medical centers nationwide to provide emergency health and care to the affected communities and Ufone 4G offering free calls to help people stay in touch with their friends and family.

PTCL Group Pledges 1.75 billion to Support Flood Affectees

Karachi– PTCL Group, country’s largest telecom services provider, has come forward to aid communities affected by floods across various provinces of Pakistan through a relief package worth PKR 1.75 billion.

The package includes donation to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund, NGOs, provision of free calls in flood affected areas, housing loans to displaced people and medical facilities.

PTCL Group will be providing medical services to affectees in its Health Centers, where a total of 13 doctors and 27 paramedical staff in 8 districts will perform their duties. To further extend Group’s support, Ufone 4G has announced free calls for people in the flood affected communities so that they can keep them connected with their families & friends, and to help them establish contact with the aid agencies and the Government. Moreover, U Microfinance Bank has pledged towards providing low-cost house loans for flood-affected families to rebuild their homes.

In addition to this, PTCL Group has decided to contribute to the Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Fund in order to support Government of Pakistan’s efforts for the rehabilitation of the communities and also donate to various leading aid agencies working in Balochistan and Sindh provinces to provide immediate relief assistance in the affected areas.
PTCL Group’s employees and staff will voluntarily give donation that will be matched by the organization and the total amount will be donated to a leading charity.

Sharing his thoughts on pledging support, Hatem Bamatraf, President and Group CEO, PTCL & Ufone, stated; “These are trying times for millions of people across Pakistan, with everything including lives, shelter and sources of income taken away by one of the worst natural calamities in modern times. At a time like this, a collective responsibility falls on individuals and local organizations alike to stand with their brethren in assisting their journey of rehabilitation. At PTCL Group, we are humbled to play our role in providing relief and support in every area that we can. During this crisis, PTCL Group stands with the affected people and is committed to support individuals, their families and communities countrywide.”

Flooding across Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Balochistan have impacted millions of people with lives lost, properties destroyed, and sources of income wasted for families in various areas. In this time of need, PTCL Group is once again stepping up to shoulder the responsibility of aiding its people in a variety of ways.

PTCL & Ufone swiftly restore network disrupted by torrential rains, flooding in the Southern region

Karachi:PTCL and Ufone have swiftly restored their network disrupted by heavy rains and flooding in parts of Balochistan and Sindh in a record time through rapid mobilization of their on-ground resources. The torrential rains also caused major damage to road and bridge infrastructure in the region, further intensifying the challenge of timely restoration of the network, however, PTCL and Ufone field teams were able to live up to their commitment to keeping their customers connected at all times.

Sindh, especially Karachi and the coastal belt of Balochistan received one of the heaviest monsoon spells in the recent past, which resulted in urban flooding, severe damage to roads and bridges infrastructure, and massive commercial power breakdown. PTCL’s Optical Fiber cable deployed alongside roads and bridges also got swept away at multiple locations.

The Northern and Central Zones of the country were no different where exchanges and network nodes got flooded leading to network outages. Baluchistan’s Makran division was the worst hit, resulting in major damage to road infrastructure, electricity transmission lines, and the PTCL OFC network. The cumulative situation resulted in a huge challenge before the PTCL and Ufone field teams to uphold their commitment to keeping their customers seamlessly connected.

As the National Carrier and Backbone of Country’s Connectivity, the company quickly responded to the situation by deploying teams in the affected area to restore the Optical Fiber Cable through a workaround in order to maintain the best possible business continuity. Despite the inclement weather, difficult terrain, and enormity of the challenge, the teams conducted a 24/7 operation with a high level of commitment to best facilitate the customers.

The company tackled the network disruption across the Southern, North, and Central region caused by commercial power breakdown through the deployment of portable generators until the issue was fixed. The field teams worked tirelessly for days to completely restore connectivity to Turbat, Ormara, Pasni, and Gawadar areas of the worst hit Makran Division in Balochistan and the affected regions of Sindh.

PTCL Group’s effective and timely response to the massive challenge in the face of countless hardships is evidence of its efficiency, resiliency, and readiness to maintain seamless connectivity at all times. The successful restoration of the network amidst a major calamity speaks volumes of the remarkable commitment and resilience of the on-ground teams whose efforts facilitated the smooth conducting of emergency and relief activities and continuity of life and business activities.

PTCL Group Posts 5.7% Revenue Growth in the Half Year 2022

Islamabad: Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), the country’s leading telecom and ICT services provider, has announced its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2022, at its Board of Directors’ meeting held in Islamabad on July 18, 2022.

During the first six months of 2022, PTCL Group successfully managed to keep the top line growth momentum, which further strengthened its market standing as an integrated telecom services provider in Pakistan. Growth in revenue is mainly driven by strong performance in the consumer segment led by fixed broadband, mobile data, and business solutions, along with microfinance services that supported the Group in achieving 5.7% growth in revenue over the comparative period despite the challenges of increase in Advance Income Tax (AIT) and reduction in Mobile Termination Rates (MTR).

PTCL Group Highlights
• PTCL Group’s revenue of Rs 71.7 billion in 2022 is 5.7% higher as compared to the same period of last year.
• The Group’s profitability remained under pressure due to significant hike in power and fuel tariffs, devaluation of the Pak Rupee against USD, higher interest rates, and other factors like upfront costs associated with the acquisition of 4G spectrum and related network rollout. The Group has posted a net loss of Rs 3.1 billion.
• PTCL continued its growth momentum by posting 4.7% YoY revenue growth.
• PTML’s (Ufone) revenue grew by 3.5% as compared to the same period of last year.
• U Bank has achieved a 25.0% growth in its revenue over the same period of last year.

PTCL Highlights
• PTCL’s revenue of Rs 40.0 billion for the period is 4.7% higher than 2021, mainly driven by growth in broadband and business solutions segments.
• The company has posted an operating profit of Rs 1.9 billion. Operating profit for the period remained under pressure compared to last year mainly due to increase in operating costs on account of significant hike in power and fuel tariffs.
• Net Profit of Rs 5.2 billion for the period is 38.8% higher as compared to the same period of last year. Increase in non-operating income, due to translation gain on the Company’s forex denominated assets, dividend income from a subsidiary and gain on disposal of obsolete assets due to upgrade and fiberization of network, has helped turn the 32.6% decrease at operating profit level to a 38.8% increase at the net profit level.

PTCL Consumer Business: Consistent Growth
During the half year, the company’s fixed broadband business grew by 10.7% YoY, whereas IPTV segment also showed 8.6% growth YoY. Within the broadband business, Flash Fiber, the company’s premium FTTH service, showed significant growth of 91.7%. Voice revenue stream has seen a decline due to lower voice traffic and continued conversion of customers to OTT services.

PTCL has achieved consistent performance and enhanced customer experience on the back of the company’s seamless fixed broadband, including the fastest internet service in Pakistan through the Flash Fiber brand. PTCL has expanded its FTTH services in 28 cities, and the subscriber base has doubled on a YoY basis as the company continued to tap into the demand for growing internet and data services.

PTCL Business Solutions: Steady Performance
While continuing momentum with overall YoY revenue growth of 5.1%, the business solutions segment sustained its market leadership in IP bandwidth, cloud, data center, and other ICT services. PTCL’s corporate business grew by 15.0% as compared to last year. Within the wholesale business segment, carrier revenue grew by 9.6% but the overall wholesale segment revenue has declined as a result of closure of certain international IP leased circuits. International revenue, helped by the favorable impact of currency devaluation, has increased by 14.0% over last year.

PTCL strives to provide innovative, dependable, and agile solutions to its partners through robust telecommunication infrastructure and a diverse portfolio of services with enhanced customer experience.

PTML – Ufone Highlights:
• Post spectrum acquisition, Ufone has achieved growth in 4G subscriber base and data services leading to a 3.5% YoY growth in topline despite the challenges of increase in Advance Income Tax (AIT) and reduction in Mobile Termination Rates (MTR).
• Ufone continued to expand its network footprint across the country and has significantly modernized its network to 4G since spectrum acquisition.
• The company has one of the fastest growing 4G subscriber base in the country.
• External factors like the devaluation of Pak Rupee, rising interest rates and hike in power / fuel tariffs have adversely impacted the company’s bottom-line.
• VIS Credit Rating Company has assigned initial entity ratings of ‘AA-/A-1’ (Double A Minus/A-One) to Ufone with outlook on the assigned ratings as ‘Stable’. This acknowledges the financial strength of Ufone through an independent rating exercise which also denotes high credit quality and good fundamental protection factors and is a testimony of stakeholders’ confidence in Ufone.

Ufone’s customer experience remains one of the best within the industry, backed by higher data speeds and industry first innovative products such as ‘UPower’ that has received tremendous response from the customers.

U Bank Highlights:
U Bank, the microfinance and branchless banking subsidiary of PTCL, continued its growth trajectory and has achieved 25.0% YoY growth in its revenue by expanding its advances portfolio. The balance sheet footing of the bank reached Rs 114 billion as the bank continued to diversify its asset classes and funding streams while ensuring positive bottom-line impact. With the core mission of microfinance at its heart, the business model of the bank is evolving to capture new segments and customer classes to include more of Pakistan into the banking net and further its ambition of financial and social inclusion.

Corporate Social Responsibility:
Being a national carrier and Pakistani company, PTCL Group is at the forefront in extending support to the community through various CSR initiatives including collaboration with GSMA to significantly expand its women customer base by the year 2025 and the provision of its flagship Wi-Fi internet devices ‘Blaze’ to participants of the KPK Women Civic Internship Program to support their pursuit of personal and professional growth. PTCL & Ufone 4G joined hands with the National Emergency Center of the Government of Pakistan to extend its support for UNICEF’s Polio Eradication Campaign in Pakistan. PTCL Group also supported the local fishermen community of Karachi to ensure the safety of small-scale fishermen during high tide season by donating life jackets

PTCL Group donates life jackets to fishermen community of Karachi

Karachi: PTCL Group, Pakistan’s largest telecom operators PTCL & Ufone has donated life jackets to the fishermen community of Karachi to ensure safety of small-scale level fishermen during high tide season at a ceremony held in FCS HQ in Karachi.

Chairman, Fishermen Cooperative Society (FCS), Zahid Ibrahim Bhatti was presented with life jackets by PTCL Group representatives, to acknowledge the efforts of the local fishermen.

Expressing his thoughts regarding the initiative, Head of Public Relations and Corporate Communication, PTCL Group, Amir Pasha said that “PTCL Group was always on the lookout for opportunities to give back to the community where it is most needed. He said that the Monsoon season is around the corner and there is pressing need to undertake measures to ensure safety of fishermen community, who risk their lives to sustain the seafood supply chain. He said safety is of paramount importance and these fishermen need to be equipped with both training and necessary safety gear.”

Also speaking at the occasion, Chairman Fishermen Cooperative Society (FCS), Zahid Ibrahim Bhatti expressed his gratitude toward PTCL Group for the thoughtful intervention. He said that “fishermen are aware of the risk, however, there is a cost involved in taking the necessary precautionary measures, which is unbearable for small-scale fishermen. He hoped that the support coming from the private sector in terms of training and safety equipment will go a long way in reducing safety incidents.”

PTCL Group is widely recognized for its corporate social responsibility initiatives that create impactful shared value. Both PTCL & Ufone are at the forefront to ensure welfare of the communities it serves

PTCL, Huawei successfully deploys AirPON Solution

PTCL, the country’s premier Telecom and ICT services provider has successfully deployed AirPON Solution from Huawei Technologies, in its Fiber Access Network. AirPON is a unique and innovative Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) solution, that leverages existing cellular mobile network infrastructure to extend Fiber footprint, with improved Total Cost of Ownership and better Time to Market.

AirPON employs a purpose built pre-connectorized Optical Distribution Network (ODN) components, which offers a unique, efficient and agile deployment, that minimizes fieldwork through plug-n-play approach, while also greatly improving the quality of installation. The infrastructure available at cellular mobile sites is exploited for field deployment of Optical Line Terminal (OLT) Equipment, to serve its housing, power and transport needs. This solution is yet another step forward on PTCL’s roadmap for meeting rapidly growing consumer data traffic demands, by expanding its Fiber Access Network in areas otherwise difficult to reach for deployment.

Jafar Khalid, Group Chief Technology Officer, PTCL Group, said, “We are committed to uplifting our customer experience through adoption of state-of-the-art products & solutions. PTCL and Huawei achieved another milestone by successfully introducing AirPON solution in our Network. We continue to invest in new technologies and products to modernize our network, with a major emphasis on expediting the reach of high-speed fiber access network to maximum customers, and AirPON solution will be a key enabler in meeting this ambition.”

Ahmed Bilal Masud, Huawei Pakistan Deputy CEO, stated that “Huawei is always committed to work closely with PTCL Group to explore the right solutions for meeting the evolving business requirements. Our goal is to offer innovative solutions to PTCL Group, while committing to minimize the deployment cost and time to market, with network simplification and emerging technologies. We believe that AirPON will pave the way for increasing fiber reach in the country, and support PTCL to offer fast internet services to its valuable customers.”

PTCL Group, TPL Trakker renew partnership for ICT services development

PTCL Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for continuation of its strategic partnership with TPL Trakker, a leading GPS Tracking and IoT services provider in Pakistan. Under the partnership, PTCL Group will provide wireless connectivity and a host of bundled services to TPL Trakker.

The MoU was signed at TPL Trakker head office in Karachi by Zarrar Hasham Khan, Group Chief Business Solutions Officer, PTCL & Ufone and Sarwar Ali Khan, CEO, TPL Trakker, in presence of senior officials from both organizations.

On the occasion, GCBSO, PTCL & Ufone, Zarrar Hasham Khan said, “As the largest integrated ICT player in Pakistan, PTCL Group is focused on accelerating the process of digitization in the country. We are proud of our collaboration with TPL Trakker to introduce Internet of Things (IoT) solutions to stimulate efficiency and productivity across various sectors. Innovation in digital technology remains a strategic priority for PTCL Group and our Business Solutions continue to enable small, medium and large enterprises for their digital transformation journeys and to bring the dream of a digital Pakistan to fruition.”

On the occasion, CEO, TPL Trakker, Sarwar Ali Khan, said, “Our renewed partnership with PTCL Group will help us achieve nationwide coverage in terms of reach and connectivity. This will serve as an outlet to strategically enhance the collaboration towards digital mapping and IoT. Local players grasp local challenges better than anyone and we are confident to make the most out of our future business opportunities. TPL Trakker believes in delivering high value solutions to a diverse range of consumers across the country.”

Over the years, PTCL Group has undertaken sustained efforts to expand and modernize its infrastructure and services portfolio to facilitate individual and business customers. Being the national telecommunications carrier, the Group forges strategic collaborations with ICT players to foster digital inclusion and usher in a digital revolution in the country vis-à-vis the government of Pakistan’s ‘Digital Pakistan’ vision.

As a provider of superior quality GPS, GSM and Satellite Mobile Asset Tracking Management and Information Solutions, TPL Trakker perfectly shares PTCL’s ambition of fostering digital innovation in the country. The company’s Car Tracking Units, Software, Operational and Project Management Expertise, Deployment, Data Evaluation, and Consultancy bring modern solutions and create immense value for business customers

5G technology successfully tested in Pakistan by PTCL Group

Islamabad: The PTCL Group successfully tested 5G technology in a limited environment.

For the first time in Pakistan, the PTCL Group successfully tested 5G technology in a limited environment, and for the first time, remote surgery was demonstrated. Special guests on the occasion included Federal Minister for IT Syed Aminul Haq, Federal Secretary IT Shoaib Siddiqui, Chairman PTA Major General (retd) Amir Azeem Bajwa and UAE Ambassador Hamad Obaid Ibrahimi Al-Zubai.

Participants were briefed on 5G technology, while reviewing remote surgery, cloud gaming and 5G technology applications.

Speaking on the occasion, UAE Ambassador to Pakistan Hamad Obaid Ibrahimi said that PTCL’s experience of 5G technology in Pakistan is welcome. UAE is the first country in the Arab region to experiment with 5G technology, while the 5th most successful country in the world to complete a mission to Mars.

The UAE Ambassador said that there are investment opportunities in science and technology in Pakistan and the UAE, and the leaders of the both countries agreed to increase cooperation in the field of technology which is good for the future of two countries and generations. We are taking steps to create economic opportunities as well.

IT Secretary Shoaib Siddiqui said that we are committed to the vision of Digital Pakistan, PTCL Group’s successful 5G experience is an important step, 5G technology will open new avenues in many fields.