Incumbent Pakistan Telecommunication Company (PTCL) is considering merging its mobile unit Ufone with another operator, CEO Walid Irshaid was quoted telling Bloomberg.
He reportedly added that, with five large mobile operators and very low rates, the…
Incumbent Pakistan Telecommunication Company (PTCL) is considering merging its mobile unit Ufone with another operator, CEO Walid Irshaid was quoted telling Bloomberg.
He reportedly added that, with five large mobile operators and very low rates, the Pakistan telecom market needs to be consolidated so that companies can survive.
PTCL could not be reached for comment.
The five main mobile companies – Mobilink (owned by Orascom), Telenor Pakistan, Ufone (held by the Pakistani government and Etisalat), Warid Telecom, and Zong (controlled by China Mobile) – are currently gearing up for a long-awaited 3G auction.
Irshaid reportedly said that the market should not hold more than three 3G operators.
Earlier this year, Mobilink and Ufone signed a tower sharing deal. The aim, they said, was to offer wider coverage, drive synergies and reduce their carbon footprint.
