Reported by Aamir Mushtaq
The introduction of mobile 2.0 applications is high in demand these days. Today, in the meeting, PTA stressed that the policy makers & providers of services and applications in south Asian countries should focus on providing broadband facilities to the whole region. Mobile phones are currently being used by a large part of Pakistan’s population. Thus, in order to increase productivity and awareness more can be added to the only calling and receiving factor.
Thus “beyond voice” has been introduced in this respect, as it will eventually help in growth and development of telecom industry of the country. “Beyond voice” refers to usage of mobile beyond mere receiving and attending phone calls. In short also referred to as ‘more-than-voice’ where a mobile stops being ‘a making and receiving phone call device’ and becomes a gadget where the users can even pay their dues and use the facility of sending receiving text and image messages.
The meetings main agenda was to introduce mobile 2.0 applications which would be the next wave of mobile usage. The meeting arranged by PTA in collaboration with LIRNEasia, Sri Lanka continued on April 27 comprised of four sessions followed by panel discussions among the key participants of the event. Representatives from Sri Lanka, Kenya, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, India, Philippines, Bhutan and other explained and provided their viewpoint through presentations for a clear view of their aim and objective.
With other countries attaining a lot of revenue through ‘beyond voice’, it is believed that with an extremely strong and highly mature communication sector it is time that we should start thinking in terms of growth and to improve strategies and data services. PTA Chairman Dr. Mohammed Yasin stressed on this particular fact said that we reside in a country which has a highly equipped telecom sector.
In 2008, only 10% of the Pakistan BoP (Bottom of the pyramid) knew about financial services available in mobile platform. Actual usage of these services is less than 1 percent. (Business Recorder)
We have been observing constant growth and development in this sector which has brought about remarkable results within a span of 5 years, attaining about million subscribers in 2004. Today we stand at 97 million which is expected to hit 100 million subscribers in the next 3 – 4 months. As Mobile 2.0 is the buzzword these days and is being considered as the most appealing subject to concentrate upon, ‘beyond voice’ has proved to be an area through which the other countries are attaining huge sum of revenues. Thus, ignoring this side of opportunity will only take us towards the darker side of the plan.