Pakistani Telecom Company, Ufone has secured its largest syndicated financing facility jointly led by MCB Bank Limited (MCB) (Agent bank), Allied Bank Limited (ABL), Bank of Punjab (BoP), National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), and United Bank Limited (UBL) to fund the acquisition and rollout of its 4G services across Pakistan. Ufone secures its largest syndicated financing of 4G Spectrum & Rollout President and Group CEO, PTCL & Ufone, Mr. Hatem Bamatraf signed the agreement for the syndicated financing of PKR 21 billion at a ceremony held in Islamabad, which was also attended by President, MCB Bank, Mr. Imran Maqbool; Group Head, Corporate Finance & International Banking, MCB Bank, Mr. Shoaib Mumtaz; President Allied Bank, Mr. Aizid Razzaq Gill; Chief, Corporate & Investment Banking, Allied Bank, Mr. Owais Shahid; Head Investment Banking, Bank of Punjab, Mr. Umer Khan, Mr. Abid Kitchlew Divisional Head C&IBG, National Bank, and Mr. Farooq Ahmed Khan Group Head Corporate & Investment Banking, United Bank Ltd . Must Read: Zong Launches 20 MHz LTE in Azad Jammu & Kashmir Ufone has recently been awarded 4G Spectrum License as a result of competitive bidding during the spectrum auction held by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). The company’s investment in 4G spectrum will go onto enhancing its network capacity and readiness besides delivering superior connectivity and user experience to its customers. Speaking at the ceremony President and Group CEO, PTCL & Ufone, Hatem Bamatraf expressed his gratitude to the banking consortium for the timely financial support and said “The Financing Solution will go a long way in bringing high quality mobile broadband services to the people of Pakistan. It will improve quality of network services and usher in a host of socio-economic opportunities for growth and development for our customers” He further added “ It is a mutual goal that both Pakistan’s banking and telecom industries are working to achieve in order to create shared value for the communities we serve.” President MCB Bank, Mr. Imran Maqbool congratulated Ufone on acquisition of 4G spectrum and emphasized on the need of changing the dynamics of all industries post Covid-19, including enhancing virtual connectivity and reliance on technological innovation for sustainable growth. He expressed hopes that Ufone, with the new 4G capabilities, will further enhance its contributions to the socio-economic growth of the country.
Zong Launches 20 MHz LTE in Azad Jammu & Kashmir
Pakistan’s connectivity and digital services frontrunner, Zong 4G, has launched its 20 MHz LTE services in Azad Jammu & Kashmir, achieving exceptional results in user speed and traffic. Zong’s LTE testing in the region was recently completed with the throughput experience improving to more than 10-20 Mbps across Azad Jammu & Kashmir and its various districts. With the state-of-the-art technology, the company is providing massive LTE bandwidth with lightning LTE speeds, which remain industry best. After the big win in the spectrum auction for AJK&GB, Zong is now set to become the leading data and connectivity provider in AJK. Zong (CMPak) emerged as the highest bidder for the 1800 MHz spectrum in the NGMS auction for Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJ&K) and Gilgit Baltistan (GB) which took place in September 2021. Zong won the 11.2 MHz of the highly desirable 1800 MHz, which has enabled Zong to strengthen its 4G leadership and to roll out its best-in-class 4G LTE in AJ&K and GB. The high speed connectivity will boost businesses, tourism and education among others. Must Read: vivo X70 Pro Redefines Photography: Let’s Hear from The Best “We are excited to launch our best-in-class 4G LTE services for our customers in AJK,” shared Zong’s official spokesperson. “It’s a momentous occasion and a major hallmark in Zong’s history, with the development being set to transform connectivity for the people of the region.” “We stay committed to serving and empowering every corner of Pakistan regardless of the return on investment. Our commitment is reflected in our resolve to venture into areas that others wont and and going an extra mile in bringing the underserved Pakistanis into the digital mainstream. Our LTE rollout in AJK brings us closer to that goal,” the spokesperson added. Zong has become an unrivalled service provider in AJK after the recent technological uplift and with Zong 4G’s unrivalled data connectivity, the region is expected to receive significant economic uplift.
Mobilink Microfinance Bank Reports 53% Growth in Total Revenue in Q3 2021
Pakistan’s largest Digital Bank, Mobilink Microfinance Bank Limited (MMBL) announced unaudited financial results for the third quarter of the current financial year ended September 30th, 2021. MMBL stayed on track and powered through the third quarter reporting 53% growth in total revenue. The bank’s Profit before Tax (PBT) increased three folds in comparison to the corresponding quarter of 2020. MMBL’s average loan ticket stood strong at PKR 177,000 during the third quarter of 2021, while the microfinance industry average remained at approximately PKR 50,000, testifying to the benefits of having a diversified business model. The core banking’s total growth in revenue increased by 35% while branchless banking revenues escalated by 40% in the third quarter. MMBL’s PBT of both core and branchless banking grew by 25% and 326% respectively. Commenting on the bank’s performance, Ghazanfar Azzam, President & CEO MMBL said: “This has been a successful quarter for MMBL. The Bank has experienced significant growth as compared to Q3 of 2020 and all key financial indicators have trended upward during the period. The positive performance of MMBL is mirrored by significant growth in the Bank’s revenue. MMBL’s resilient performance also reflects strongly on its aims and objectives – to invest in technology and innovation and to provide opportunities to all segments of the society while focusing on making Pakistan a financially empowered country. Heading into the fourth quarter, MMBL is well-positioned to close the year with strong financials, reinforcing its firm commitment to include maximum people in the financial landscape of Pakistan.” Must Read: OneWeb Partners with REDtone Telecommunications Pakistan Chief Finance & Digital Officer, MMBL, Sardar Mohammad Abubakr expressed: “We are glad to register a steadfast performance for yet another quarter. The results are reflective of our enhanced focus on growth and sustainability across all tiers of operations. Despite the challenges generated by the pandemic, MMBL is producing year-over-year improvements in productivity and efficiency in both banking and branchless banking segments. Our unfaltering and continued commitment to digitalization and customer-centricity through empowered employees has been a consistent factor through the year, helping us to sustain the bank’s market standing and enhance financial inclusion for the masses across Pakistan.” Strongly anchored as the country’s largest digital bank, Mobilink Microfinance Bank hosts one of the finest digital financial ecosystem to facilitate the growth of individuals, particularly women, households, and SMEs all across Pakistan.
Zong partners with REDRETAIL to promote digital payments in Pakistan
Zong, Pakistan’s leading telecom and digital services company, has partnered with REDRETAIL (a REDtone Group company), one of the leading retail digitization platforms, to promote digital payments in Pakistan. This collaboration will allow Zong customers to top-up and recharge their balance through REDRETAIL’s network of small and medium sized enterprises including kiryana stores. The B2B partnership with REDRETAIL, a retail digitisation platform that evolves the conventional retail store experience, through its proprietary hardware and software Point of Sales (POS) devices and solutions, will help Zong get closer to its digitalization mission. “We’re excited to have partnered with one of Pakistan’s cellular giant Zong to give a much-needed push to digital payments in Pakistan,” shared Mahnoor Nadeem, CEO REDRETAIL. “Our mutual purpose is to digitise payments on the grass-root level where both small shop owners and their consumers can benefit from the convenience that financial technology brings to their lives.” Must Read: Quickly.pk is an emerging E-commerce set-up in Pakistan “We want to help REDRETAIL in their efforts of moving the small kiryana stores from informal economy to a formal one while bringing ease to the lives of retailers as well as consumers,” shared Zong’s official spokesperson. “The partnership with REDRETAIL will get us closer to realizing our vision of a digitally enabled Pakistan and bringing us up to speed with the global technological developments.” As a customer-centric company, Zong aims to uplift its customer’s experience to newer heights. Through its most advanced digital solutions, Pakistan’s leading telecommunication network is innovating to provide sought-after solutions, services, and offers to its customers and promises to continue doing so in the future.
Jazz invests PKR 9.54 billion in Q3 2021, 4G population coverage crosses 65% mark
During the third quarter of 2021, Jazz invests PKR 9.54 billion maintaining its strategic focus on 4G and digital services. Jazz’s 4G user base reached 33.8 million with population coverage of its 4G network crossed 65%, while its total customer base grew by 11.2% YoY to reach 71.4 million. Jazz invests PKR 9.54 billion in Q3 2021. Aamir Ibrahim, CEO of Jazz, said, “We are constantly delivering on our ‘4G for all’ ambition to support a robust and inclusive digital ecosystem. The rise in the adoption of digital tools is quite encouraging, including the consistent growth of JazzCash as Pakistan’s leading fintech. Jazz remains firm in its commitment to connect the underserved with fast and reliable 4G and to bank the underbanked through JazzCash.” Must Read: Smartphone of the Year – realme GT Master Edition is coming to Pakistan Digital services were another key area of growth with JazzCash reaching 13.9 million monthly active users and recorded a rise in the total number of registered wallets to 35.4 million. JazzCash’s retail presence continued to expand and reached over 92,000 active agents and more than 89,000 active merchants by the end of the third quarter. Jazz’s self-care app, Jazz World, continued to enjoy strong levels of customer adoption, as its monthly active user base grew by 40.6% YoY, reaching 9.4 million, cementing its position as Pakistan’s largest telecom app. Other streaming and entertainment platforms such as Jazz TV, Bajao, Jazz Cricket and Deikho, enjoyed further growth; usage time of these platforms increased by an average of 75.4% YoY. Jazz is Pakistan’s number one 4G operator and a leading digital service provider with over 71.4 million subscribers, including over 33.8 million 4G users. By providing the most extensive portfolio of digital value-added services, Jazz continues to be the country’s undisputed telecom leader.
MMBL, Care International conclude Nationwide Training Sessions while Upskilling 300 Women Borrowers
Pakistan’s largest digital bank, Mobilink Microfinance Bank (MMBL) and Care International in Pakistan, a leading global humanitarian organization, entered into a strategic collaboration earlier in the year through an MOU, which materialized into special training sessions for MMBL’s female borrowers to upskill them in business and financial management. Through WIN, MMBL centers its skill development initiatives around sustainability, offering borrowers free access to the Learning Management System which consists of video-based business fundamentals and financially literacy content in Urdu, seamlessly accessible through smartphones. MMBL, Care International conclude Nationwide Training Sessions while Upskilling 300 Women Borrowers. The sessions were organized in six major cities; Islamabad, Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Hyderabad, and Multan, under MMBL’s flagship women empowerment program, Women Inspirational Network (WIN). Through the course of the training programs spread across the country, MMBL successfully trained 300 women borrowers. Must Read: Welcome the Dawn of Photography with vivo X70 Pro, Now Available in Pakistan The training initiative, executed in collaboration with Care International’s global IGNITE program, powered by the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, aimed to uplift women from all spheres of life and provide equal opportunities for them, enabling them to contribute to national economic growth through financial empowerment. MMBL maintains an open line of communication with trainees, after the conclusion of their sessions as well to lend any additional support in their skill development. These efforts are directly aligned with the State Bank of Pakistan’s Gender Mainstreaming Policy which envisions a truly financially inclusive future for Pakistan.
Telenor Velocity scales Ola Doc to reach 9 million MyTelenor App users and provide 20% discount
Committed to its vision of empowering societies and connecting people to what matters most to them, Telenor Pakistan has collaborated with Ola Doc, a startup of Telenor Velocity’s 7th cohort. Through this, 9 million MyTelenor App users will be able to avail up to 20% discount on doctor’s appointments made through Ola Doc. Ola Doc is a telehealth mobile application that provides easy access to quality and affordable healthcare and is currently a part of Telenor Velocity’s 7th cohort. Telenor Velocity is a start-up accelerator program which works with startups and enables partnership opportunities while ensuring scale. Through this collaboration, MyTelenor App users will be able to book doctor appointments and lab tests, as well as online doctor video consultations on discounted rates. To book doctor appointments and avail the discount, users need to open MyTelenor App and tap the Ola Doc icon in the healthcare section which will lead to the Ola Doc web view. Through the Ola Doc web view, users can immediately start booking appointments and use the code “MyTelenor” for discount. “It is our privilege to be able to equip and enable the budding new technology-based start-ups like Ola Doc and provide access to discounted healthcare to our over 9 million MyTelenor App customers” said Khurrum Ashfaque, Chief Operating Officer Telenor Pakistan. “The digital ecosystem is rapidly evolving, and it is crucial to liaise and collaborate with new ventures in this arena to bring greater benefits and value to the consumers. With Telenor Pakistan being at the forefront of innovation, we remain committed to enabling our customers by connecting them to what matters most through digital solutions and experiences” he added. Must Read: foodpanda celebrates International Chefs Day with its Homechefs Commenting on the development, Abid Zuberi, CEO Ola Doc, said, “We are grateful to Telenor Pakistan for its visionary approach towards the country’s startup ecosystem and for enabling Ola Doc to start its journey towards becoming the country’s go-to solution in mobile healthcare. It gives us great pleasure to have access to necessary resources and scale to reach Pakistanis through our online healthcare solution. Being a part of Telenor Velocity’s 7th cohort, all of us at Ola Doc are extremely excited to work with Telenor Pakistan.” Telenor Pakistan customers can avail Ola Doc services from within the MyTelenor App and pay for video consultation with general practitioners, specialists, and mental health & wellness experts. Being a part of Telenor Velocity, Ola Doc has received equity-free support in the form of coaching and mentoring from domain experts, data analytics, product development support, and the scaling opportunity to reach 9 million potential customers through MyTelenor App. Telenor Pakistan continues to relentlessly work towards the Digital Pakistan ambition by enabling the startup ecosystem and empowering its subscriber base through an enriched digital experience.
Enjoy uninterrupted connectivity with Ufone’s Weekly Heavy Internet Package
Pakistani telecom operator, Ufone has introduced a new ‘Weekly Heavy Internet’ package to fulfill the growing data needs of its customers. The company is now offering a generous 14GB data, powered by its thrilling 4G speeds to deliver a matchless user experience round the clock. Enjoy uninterrupted connectivity with Ufone’s Weekly Heavy Internet Package. Ufone users can subscribe to the latest Weekly Heavy Internet offer at an affordable load of Rs. 230 only to enjoy worry-free socializing and streaming throughout the week. Of the 14 GB, 7 GB will be useable from 1AM to 9AM. The huge data bundle is designed to respond to the growing data needs of customers, including video streaming, video chatting and conferencing, socializing and glitch-free browsing, on the company’s high speed 4G network. Must Read: The HUAWEI FreeBuds 4i: High quality sound is just a pair of earphones away Ufone customers may subscribe to the weekly bundle by dialing *270# or through My Ufone App available at https://bit.ly/2RalKcQ, through UPaisa App by visiting https://bit.ly/3lZ2hg6 or online through Ufone’s website at https://bit.ly/38YSBsp or through. Additional inquiries about the package can be referred to the closest Ufone franchise, PTCL & Ufone service center or by visiting nearest retailer. Ufone’s ceaseless efforts to usher in enhanced user experience to its customers are indicative of its deep rooted customer centricity and unflinching resolve to service excellence. The latest package will deliver greater ease and access to the customers to stay connected with their loved ones at all times. With its latest 4G rollout and ambitious modernization, the company is raising the bar in customer facilitation and service excellence in the Pakistani market.
PTCL Group cements its market standing: Increase of 7% Revenue & 136% in Profit
The country’s leading telecom and ICT services provider, Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited PTCL Group posted a significant 7.3% growth in its revenues, owing to a robust commercial strategy that cements its market standing. The company has announced its financial results for the nine months period ended on September 30, 2021 at its Board of Directors’ meeting on October 18, 2021. PTCL Group PTCL Group posted a revenue of Rs 102.4 Billion in first nine months of 2021 that is 7% higher as compared to the same period of last year. U Bank continued its growth momentum and has achieved 23% growth in revenue. PTML (Ufone) also posted revenue growth of 4.6% despite stiff competition in the market. PTCL Group delivered robust financial and operational performance and posted a net profit of Rs 3.7 Billion as compared to Rs 1.6 Billion for the same period of last year. PTCL PTCL’s revenue of Rs 57.3 Billion for the nine months period is 7.3% higher than the same period last year, mainly driven by Broadband and Corporate & Wholesale business segments. The company has posted operating profit of Rs 3.7 Billion, which is higher by 44.3% compared to the same period of last year. Net profit of Rs 5.7 Billion has significantly increased by 39.2% from last year. The company is upgrading its existing infrastructure and network, besides expanding FTTH across the country to offer seamless connectivity for greater customer experience. Prompt deployment of FTTH and strong performance in Corporate and Wholesale segments are the cornerstone in PTCL’s topline growth, which along with focus on cost optimization program, has significantly increased the company’s profitability. PTCL Consumer Business: Steady Growth & Performance PTCL Consumer Business showed consistent performance as it reports 5th straight quarter of growth. During the 9 months of 2021, company’s Fixed Broadband business grew by 12.7% YoY, whereas PTCL IPTV segment also grew by 13.5%. Within broadband business, the groundbreaking PTCL Flash Fiber, Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) service showed a tremendous growth of 57.5%, whereas PTCL Charji /Wireless Broadband Segment grew by 17.8%. Voice revenue stream has declined on account of lower voice traffic and continued conversion of customers to OTT services. Business Services: Sustained Growth Momentum Business services segment continued its momentum sustaining market leadership in IP Bandwidth, Cloud, Data Center and other ICT services segments. PTCL’s Corporate business grew by 12.9% as compared to the same period last year, while Carrier and Wholesale business continued its growth momentum and achieved 10.3% overall revenue growth. International voice revenue has shown declining trend like domestic voice revenue. 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 enhanced customer experience. Must Read: vivo Announces the Launch of X70 Pro in Pakistan PTML – Ufone: Beginning of a New Era On the wireless portfolio, PTML (Ufone) acquired additional 9 MHz 4G spectrum in the 1800 MHz Band in NGMS spectrum auction in September 2021, fulfilling its commitment to provide enhanced customer experience through quality services across Pakistan. The additional spectrum will meet the increasing demand for wireless data products amongst the consumers in Pakistan in addition to providing innovative products and services. After acquisition of 4G spectrum, Ufone intends to fully modernize its network and further enhance its coverage across Pakistan. The network upgradation and modernization has already started paying dividends with significant improvement in data user experience for customers. In addition to the acquisition of 4G spectrum in Pakistan, Ufone has also renewed and acquired more spectrum in Azad Jammu & Kashmir/Gilgit Baltistan to bolster its existing service. Through this, it has reaffirmed its commitment to provide quality data services to the people of Pakistan and AJK/GB. UBank UBank, the microfinance and branchless banking subsidiary of PTCL, continued its growth trajectory and has achieved 23% growth in its revenue over the corresponding period last year, by increasing its advances portfolio and treasury investments. The bank grew its funding book to a PKR 70 Billion by leveraging on its deposit and corporate finance arms, which is in line with the bank’s ambition to maintain its superior liquidity position. Major strategic initiatives undertaken by the bank include venturing into the Low-Cost Housing, International Remittance, and Islamic Banking space. The bank plans to invest in technology to make the most of the opportunities available on the digital banking front. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) PTCL Razakaar, PTCL’s employee volunteer force, arranged open-air picnics for over a thousand children across 17 locations in Pakistan in collaboration with schools, orphan homes and charity organizations. PTCL Group has so far vaccinated 98% of its employees in one of the largest staff vaccination drive by a corporate company in the country, demonstrating duty of care to its people and ensuring the safety of people it serves.
JazzCash and Mastercard Introduce New Solutions to Transform Pakistan’s Digital Payment Ecosystem
Pakistan’s leading fintech JazzCash, in collaboration with Mastercard, is strengthening the country’s digital payments ecosystem. JazzCash users will now be able to apply for a physical or virtual Mastercard Debit Card and make payments to merchants accepting Mastercard QR payments. The new Mastercard Debit Card will be available to all JazzCash users via a hassle-free application process through the mobile app, call center or by dialing *786#. The card can be used to pay at over 67,000 point of sale merchants and over 2,000 local online merchants. It also provides access to cash withdrawals at over 16,000 automated teller machines (ATM). Customers will also be able to get Mastercard Virtual Cards instantly through the JazzCash app and then immediately use it for secure online payments. The new set of financial solutions is set to transform Pakistan’s payments industry by simplifying access to digital payments for millions of Pakistanis and driving financial inclusion among those without access to a formal bank account. Consumers will benefit from Mastercard’s world-class digital solutions, with the new solutions allowing users to access digital services and make online payments safely and seamlessly. Must Read: See beyond with Infinix Zero X series, now available for pre-orders “Our collaboration with JazzCash leverages global payments technology to deliver an innovative line of payment solutions that will further drive digital transformation in Pakistan. The new debit cards will redefine the ways consumers shop online and manage their finances, thereby accelerating the shift towards e-commerce and simplifying the connection between online merchants and their target audience. Ultimately, our goal is to catalyze the shift towards secure and simple digital payments and drive inclusive growth for millions of people in Pakistan’s booming digital economy,” said Ngozi Megwa, Senior Vice President, Digital Partnerships MEA, Mastercard. “JazzCash has been at forefront of leading the country towards a digitized economy and teaming up with Mastercard is one such strategic step towards driving financial inclusion and increasing digital banking footprint of Pakistan. This partnership with Mastercard will allow over 13 million Monthly Active Users of JazzCash to carry out digital payments in a convenient and secured environment with additional payment touchpoints within Pakistan.” added Murtaza Ali, interim CEO JazzCash.
REDRETAIL to offer mobile top up solutions through retail stores across the country
REDRETAIL (a venture of REDtone Group) has recently signed an agreement to enable mobile payment services at retail stores across Pakistan in partnership with Telenor Pakistan. Under the agreement, REDRETAIL will now offer mobile top-up integration with additional value-added features at Kiryana stores. Pakistan’s retail and financial industry have grown leaps and bounds during the pandemic. Through this collaboration, consumers will have the ease to make mobile top-up related payments at their neighbourhood stores. This initiative is in line with the company’s aim of providing next generation financial services at Kiryana stores. Must Read: Uber & Easypaisa partner to introduce cashless payments Sharing her views on the agreement, Mahnoor Nadeem, Vice President, REDtone Group said, “REDRETAIL is on a mission to digitise the retail landscape and offer financial inclusion and digital services to communities across Pakistan. With over a million retail/kiryana stores across almost every corner of Pakistan; augmenting these existing channels and turning them into financial and telecommunication services hubs is how we can evolve and leapfrog as an enabled economy. We are excited to be working with Telenor Pakistan on this front.” This agreement with Telenor Pakistanis a testament that REDRETAIL’s collaboration with a leading telecom and digital services provider of Pakistan will ensure top quality and seamless services via REDRETAIL’s product offerings. Recently the government has taken up several initiatives towards financial inclusion and this looks like a step in the right direction.
Four social enterprises emerge victorious in UNDP-Jazz SDG Bootcamps 1st cohort
Four social enterprises have emerged victorious from the first cohort of the UNDP-Jazz’s SDG Bootcamps for Social Enterprises.. Overall, 70 social enterprises from across Pakistan participated in the first cohort with over 40 percent participation by women. The winning social enterprises include Digital Libas, an initiative from Balochistan providing skilled women workers with the opportunity to become financially independent; Sukoon, a health-tech initiative from Punjab aiming to revolutionize mental health care; Asani.io, an IoT and automation based social enterprise from Sindh working on solving water scarcity and mismanagement issues; and Peshawar Waste Management Company from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a social enterprise working towards building sustainable communities by converting daily waste into natural fertilizers. Thirteen of the total participants were from Balochistan, 19 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 17 from Sindh and 21 from Punjab. Held online, these five-day bootcamps aimed at capacity building essential for enterprise market success and outreach. These bootcamps also managed to attract participants from some of the country’s most remote areas i.e., Bhurewala, Mastung, Naushki, Pishin, Bajaur, Jamshoro and Bahauddin. Knut Ostby, Resident Representative UNDP Pakistan, said at the conclusion of the first cohort, “UNDP is proud to work with Jazz to support nascent social enterprises in Pakistan. We hope our SDG Bootcamps will help these young entrepreneurs play a vital role in addressing the development challenges of the country to ensure that we Leave No One Behind.” Must Read: PM’s Advisor for Commerce and Investment visits Careem headquarters to discuss potential of technology Syed Fakhar Ahmed, Chief Regulatory and Corporate Affairs Officer, Jazz stated, “As a technology-driven company, our focus remains on digitally enabling the masses, especially the youth and women. We hope the social enterprises part of the first cohort have gained valuable knowledge on scaling up their innovative solutions. Wishing them luck on their respective journeys, we look forward to the second cohort to be conducted later this year.” These five-day bootcamps, organized by School of Leadership Foundation (SoLF), were led by master trainers and covered a wide array of modules including Branding and Customer Engagement, Marketing and Digital Transformation, and Financial Management, Feasibility and Scaling. On the final day of each regional bootcamp, the social enterprises pitched their business ideas to a panel of judges of industry experts. The winner of the national bootcamp, planned later this year, will be provided with an opportunity to join Youth Co:Lab, the largest youth social entrepreneurship movement in Asia and the Pacific along with access to mentorship opportunities and exclusive digital giveaways by Jazz. These bootcamps are a part of the agreement inked between Jazz and UNDP in December 2020. The program comprises overall 20 bootcamps nationwide by December 2022 targeting close to 800 youngsters and 50 percent women participation. The aim is to promote promising social ventures that are addressing the country’s developmental challenges.
Jazz partners with Alkira to provide enterprise customers Multicloud networking technology
Jazz, Pakistan’s number one 4G operator and the largest internet and broadband service provider has partnered with Network Cloud pioneer Alkira,®Inc. to deploy the company’s Cloud Networking as-a-Service(CNaaS) offering. The Alkira integration with Jazz’s Cloud portfolio provides enterprises the ability to deploy a multi-cloud network in minutes, with the flexibility to turn services on and off as the business requires. Jazz partners with Alkira to provide enterprise customers Multicloud networking technology. The time, cost, and complexity of building networks in the cloud with end-to-end connectivity, security and visibility are major challenges holding back digital transformation. Enterprises now require greater agility to respond quickly to business needs, complex network infrastructure, including solutions from a wide range of cloud vendors. Must Read: Careem partners with Ruhbaru, offers mental health consultancy to its Captains and Colleagues Through Alkira, Jazz will provide simpler, comprehensive, and faster multicloud solutions that can help optimize performance, control costs, provide quick cloud access and secure applications, environments, and data. A pay-as-you-go model that provides a single platform to manage services from different cloud providers with no additional hardware requirements. “In this new normal, businesses are relying on a mobile workforce and applications accessed in the cloud. As these businesses undergo a digital transformation, they require extreme agility and the best network security. In partnering with Alkira, we are looking to reinvent the cloud experience by delivering a multi-cloud network with unified services, security, intent-based policy, visibility and governance. This platform seamlessly connects to corporate infrastructure, enabling a secure multi-cloud environment in minutes, providing businesses the agility they need,” said Syed Ali Naseer, Chief Business Officer at Jazz. “We are pleased to have the Alkira Cloud Services Exchange ® (CSX) selected by Jazz to simplify the cloud journey and help enterprise customers get to, around and across clouds through our Cloud Network as-a-Service offering,” said Atif Khan, CTO and Founder of Aklira, Inc. We are grateful for the tremendous global response to Alkira CSX. It has been a humbling experience to surpass the early growth around our pioneering efforts in SDWAN and we look forward to working closely with the team at Jazz to bring the state of the art cloud networking and multicloud networking services to local markets.”
Jazz xlr8 powered startup DeafTawk announces global expansion plans
DeafTawk, a startup powered by Jazz xlr8, announced plans to expand its operations globally at a ceremony held to officiate the $250,000 grant it has received under the GSMA Innovation Fund for Assistive Tech. Using this grant, DeafTawk plans to scale up the application and increase its coverage, building the capacity of its interpreters, in order to reach both national and international audiences. DeafTawk is an online sign language services provider enabling people with hearing impairments and was a part of the third Cohort at the NIC under the premium accelerator program, Jazz xlr8. An MoU was also signed at the ceremony between DeafTawk and Jazz, Pakistan’s number one 4G operator and the largest internet and broadband service provider. Jazz will provide assistance to DeafTawk in developing strategies to further support the deaf community and assist with the startup’s expansion plans. DeafTawk after successfully launching its operations in Pakistan and Singapore is expanding its reach to America, Europe and South Asia and will be officially launching in the coming weeks. The startup to date has 92,000+ beneficiaries, has created 1,100 direct jobs, and has a 25% month-on-month revenue growth. “Recognition by the GSMA is a testament to the work DeafTawk has been doing and builds on Jazz xlr8’s reputation as a leading accelerator program in the country. These wins double our resolve to help young entrepreneurs take transformational ideas from start-up to scale-up,” stated Aamer Ejaz, Chief Digital and Strategy Officer at Jazz. “With the support of our donors, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO), we aspire to support great ideas and startups like DeafTawk. By helping a community to tackle their inabilities, we think DeafTawk has a potential to contribute exponentially towards digital inclusiveness,” said Bilal Qureshi – Manager, GSMA Innovation Fund. Must Read: Huawei Reveals Stroke Study and Heart Study with Top International Institutions DeafTawk CEO, Ali Shabbar, said, “When we pondered over the idea of DeafTawk, we instantly thought of empowerment through technology. And today, as the thought manifests itself into reality, we are glad to receive this grant and deeply honored by our partners and well-wishers for supporting our work, especially Jazz xlr8, which allowed us to transmit our raw idea into a proven business model. We aim to empower the ones who need a voice and bridge the gap with the GSMA.” Ignite CEO Asim Shahryar, by mentioning the importance NICs hold in Pakistan stated that, “Ignite, through a strong network of NICs across the country, has been uplifting the startup ecosystem of Pakistan for the last five years. Our NICs have incubated more than 800 startups which have raised funding of more than $56 million so far. 2021 has been a remarkable year for Pakistani startups with an investment of more than $300 million so far, and Ignite’s forecast by December is of around $400 million.” The GSMA Innovation Fund is funded by the FCDO and supported by the GSMA and its members. This fund is for startups aiming to address the varying needs of the differently-abled and overcoming barriers to digital inclusion. For this grant, DeafTawk was up against 350 other start-ups and SMEs from 31 nations. After a meticulous assessment process, four final grantees from Asia and Africa were chosen by an independent committee of specialists.
Ufone awarded 4G spectrum license
Pakistani Telecom Company, Ufone has been awarded Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS) spectrum by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) as a result of recently held spectrum auction. The company won the spectrum in a bid to enhance 4G customer experience across the country. Ufone awarded 4G spectrum license. Federal Minister for IT & Telecom, Syed Aminul Haq along with Secretary IT & Telecom, Dr. Muhammad Sohail Rajput, Chairman PTA, Major General Amir Azeem Bajwa (Retd.) HI (M), senior officials from the ministry and PTCL Group attended the event. DG Licensing PTA, Brig. Amer Shahzad (Retd.) and President and Group CEO, PTCL & Ufone, Hatem Bamatraf signed the contract. The company plans to use the spectrum to introduce new innovative products and services and enhance its customer experience by providing high quality internet as well as to expand its existing network to unserved and underserved regions of the country. Must Read: Huawei Releases Multiple Smart Office Devices, and Number of Users Upgraded to HarmonyOS 2 Surpasses 100 Million Sharing his thoughts on spectrum acquisition, President and Group CEO, PTCL & Ufone, Hatem Bamatraf said: “It is a historic day for Ufone, as we have acquired additional 4G Spectrum in order to fully optimize our mobile data services. This will enable us to further enhance our users’ experience, expand the existing network to serve the unserved areas. Improved data experience will enable a digital transformation in education, health care, agriculture, banking and ecommerce ecosystems to name a few.” “We appreciate Government of Pakistan for executing the spectrum auction process in a seamless and transparent manner”, he further added. The additional spectrum will enable Ufone to not only connect Pakistanis living in far flung areas without cellular services but will also enable people in urban centers and towns to enjoy new sets of innovative products and unmatched experience.
Ufone makes online streaming easier than ever before
Keeping in mind the need for connectivity and information during the COVID pandemic, Pakistani telecom operator, Ufone, has now introduced a mobile data bundle for as low as Rs100 recharge. The package has been launched for the sole purpose of making online streaming easier for all Ufone subscribers across Pakistan. Customers now do not need to worry about their heavy data needs. No matter the video or the length, Ufone’s data bundle for YouTube will now fulfil all their connectivity needs, making life much easier and more entertaining. Ufone subscribers can enjoy unlimited streaming with 5GB of YouTube for as low as Rs 100 recharge. This offer is valid for an entire week for all subscribers across Pakistan. Must Read: Reuters launches the Reuters Digital Journalism Course, in partnership with the Facebook Journalism Project For subscription to the package, subscribers can dial the code *5883#. For further support regarding the offer, subscribers can visit their nearest Ufone franchise or service center and can also contact the Ufone Customer Helpline by dialing 333. Additionally, customers can gain details regarding the package from the Ufone official website www.ufone.com or My Ufone app. Over the years, Ufone has always shown a firm commitment to make life easier and introduce much more accessibility for all its users. Its motto ‘Tum He Tou Ho’ has remained a central idea for the company. Ufone has been at the forefront of providing not only quality services, but also addressing every need of the customer, establishing itself as a leading telecom operator time and again.
Zong Sweeps Prestigious Customer Mobile Experience Awards
In continuation of a winning streak from past years, Zong saw larger recognition of their improvement efforts in the realm of user mobile experience through the customer-experience oriented Open signal awards 2021. Winning five out of seven award categories outright, Zong once again dominated the mobile network experience awards for Pakistan. The operator came top on Video Experience, Games Experience, and Upload Speed Experience, 4G Availability and 4G Coverage Experience. Furthermore, Zong also became the joint winner with Jazz for Voice App Experience and Download Speed Experience. The Opensignal awards are a globally-recognized metric and independent global standard for analyzing consumer mobile experience. Reputedly, Opensignal industry reports are the definitive guide to understanding the true experience consumers receive on wireless networks. Must Read: realme promises to promote a trendier lifestyle for its young audience Users all over Pakistan saw significant improvements on the speed metrics Download Speed Experience (1.9% to 17.7%) and Upload Speed Experience (4.8% to 13.9%) as well as the 4G Availability (2.1-2.5 percentage points) and 4G Coverage Experience (2.1% to 7.2%) metrics.This recognition of improvement is remarkable in a year that was unprecedented in recent times, with the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus halting or slowing down much necessary technical work throughout the globe. At a time when people are heavily relying on the internet and smooth connectivity, Zong proved itself to be up to the task.
Telenor Velocity invites start-ups that use technology as an enabler for its 7th Cohort
Telenor Pakistan’s Digital Accelerator Program, Telenor Velocity, has opened for applications from start-ups for its 7th Cohort. As a part of this program, Telenor Velocity will guide, support and mentor start-ups using Telenor Pakistan’s experts, analytics and access to scaling opportunities over a period of four months. The world is going through radical transformation, and Telenor Pakistan is on the lookout for founders who are embracing the constraints and letting their innovation create solutions using technology. Start-ups that specialise in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Blockchain, Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Internet of Things (IOT) can particularly benefit from this opportunity, as this cohort brings along with it the experts and tools necessary for building impactful, modern solutions. The cohort selects start-ups that have been in the market for more than two years and offers them scaling opportunities through Telenor Pakistan’s digital assets. Must Read: Red Bull Campus Clutch launches in Pakistan Speaking at the development, Khurrum Ashfaque, Chief Operating Officer Telenor Pakistan said “Entrepreneurs are essential to the growth and development of Pakistan’s economy and are the key to bring innovative solutions into the market. Telenor Velocity aims to nurture and mentor start-ups that use technology as an enableracross various verticals which is Telenor Pakistan’s expert domain. We are living in the start-up generation with increasing digitalisation by the day. These tech based new businesses need a platform to jet start their ventures that not only enable solutions for the society but also puts Pakistan on the map for innovation through technology.” The 7th cohort is accepting applications from start-ups focusing on verticals such as Fin-tech, Ed-tech, Agri-tech, Health-tech, Entertainment/Content/Media, Gaming, Inclusion, E-commerce, Smart Cities and Connectivity. Due to the pandemic, the cohort will be run on a hybrid model with physical and online meetings. Launched in 2016, the accelerator has to date conducted 6 cohorts, with 32 graduated start-ups, 4+ Pilot Runs, $40,000 Pilot Investment, and $3 million investment raised by Telenor Velocity start-ups. To apply for Telenor Velocity’s 7th Cohort, please fill out the application form (https://gust.com/programs/telenor-velocity-cohort-7). Last date to apply: April 3rd, 2021.
Ufone brings STARZPLAY by Cinepax for U
Keeping customer convenience a top priority, Ufone has partnered with STARZPLAY by Cinepax to provide variety of latest TV shows, movies, kids’ entertainment and Pakistani dedicated content including selected titles in full HD with flexible payment plans. Ufone subscribers can now stream their favorite shows from any device at all times; also getting the opportunity to download all their shows for offline viewing. The platform is available for all Ufone pre- and postpaid customers to enjoy unlimited movies, videos and short films. Through this partnership Ufone aims to provide diverse entertainment options to customers and ensures that they get amazing value for money. The service is available to users all across Pakistan with a daily price point for as low as Rs. 8/day, weekly price of Rs. 59/week and monthly price of Rs. 239/ month. The STARZPLAY app is available for both Android and iOS devices for Ufone customers. After signing up, users can get a free trial, before they are charged for their subscription. Must Read: Camon 16 Pro – Another Photography King of Camon Series is launched in Pakistan STARZPLAY users can view top TV shows like Friends, The Vampire Diaries, The Flash and The Walking Dead, box sets of movies including Harry Potter, James Bond and Batman plus STARZPLAY Originals like Kaash Keh. Subscribers can also view Pakistani movies like Laal Kabootar and Motorcycle Girl and Pakistani short films which showcases STARZPLAY’s support in strengthening the local talent of Pakistan. Now entertainment is truly just a click away, no matter what time of the day. To subscribe to STARZPLAY, visit www.starzplay.pk/ufone and choose a price plan. Fill in the mobile number after which click the “Start your Trial” button. Enter the verification code sent via SMS and start streaming STARZPLAY, anytime, anywhere. Speaking at the launch of the Ufone and STARZPLAY partnership, Arif Baig Mohamed, Chairman Cinepax Group, commented: “While STARZPLAY has a superb reputation for entertaining our Pakistani audience with an impressive library of movies, TV shows and more, our partnership with Ufone will help to strengthen our growing subscriber base and allow Ufone prepaid and postpaid customers to stream top content. We are looking forward to unprecedented times where Pakistan’s favourite streaming service will be available at the fingertips of Pakistan’s very own Telecom subscribers. The possibilities are endless” Starting in 2001, Ufone has been a telecom industry leader for innovation and customer service. Prioritizing all its activities and services around the central goal of seamless connectivity across Pakistan, Ufone continues to bring forward new ideas for entertainment and resourceful usage for quick digitization of the Pakistani ecosystem.
Lowest Roaming Rates for Ufone Customers
Pakistani telecom operator Ufone introduced revised data roaming charges for its valued customers across different countries of Europe, Africa and Asia. With the aim to make all communication easier and trips more exciting, Ufone now has a one of the lowest one rate roaming charges for all its services. Lowest Roaming Rates for Ufone Customers. Customers can roam around the world and still enjoy the perks of being at home. Subscribers for post pay can avail all Ufone services – incoming or outgoing calls, SMS and data – for as low as USD 0.19. Post activation these charges will apply for Albania, Australia, Czech Republic, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Romania, South Africa, Spain, Turkey and the UK. Must Read: Facebook releases update regarding reaching billions of people with COVID-19 Vaccine information For further support regarding roaming activation customers can visit the nearest Ufone franchise, service centre, PTCL-Ufone Joint Shop or contact Ufone Customer Helpline for Pakistan by dialing 333 and +92-333-5100038 while travelling internationally. Customers can also gain details regarding the package from the Ufone official website www.ufone.com or My Ufone app. Prioritizing its customers, their comfort due to the hardships faced because of high long-distance tariffs, the brand previously introduced data roaming bundles for postpay clients in the UAE. Along with low charges, Ufone affirms the conviction to make its connection and network one of the best service providers for all. Starting in 2001, Ufone has grown to be a brand that has created its mark in the telecom sector as an innovator that provides customer-centric services. With the core value of ‘tum he tou ho’ Ufone firmly believes and practices the value of providing comfort and ease of communication to all its customers, furthering, the goal to make connectivity seamless across Pakistan.
