STAFF REPORT IBD: ICT experts have recommended the government to immediately auction 3G/4G licences as the inaction is hindering growth in the telecom sector as well as causing losses to national economy.
They also suggested the government to make it mandatory for successful bidders for adequately investment and expand the ICT sector through ensuring long term commitment and quality services that can trigger growth in IT and telecom sector.
The experts discussed the 3G/4G licences auction at a recently held meeting of SDPI Study Group.
Salman Ansari, CEO Telecommunication Consultants, said that future mobile telecommunication would be dominated by data services where voice would be just an additional component which makes it critically important to switch over to 3G technologies at the earliest.
He stressed for a hybrid approach arguing that 3G mobile broadband is an evolutionary process to optimize current assets, before moving towards new and further advanced systems, network radio interfaces and spectrum.
Shahid Mahmood, CEO Interactive Group of Companies, deliberated that further delay in 3G auction will adversely impact economic growth potential that could be otherwise realized immediately.
During the discussion session, the participants underscored the need for spectrum reformation in telecom sector with possibility of taking back SPTV spectrum, striking a balance between upfront auction value and obligations.