PTCL is Likely to Discontinue the Student DSL Package

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgkGcoXr_qftp71xRsJMZwz8JjhtBDAxGGSsxOXv2E26qZmhTkkE5Lw8gck3t6BiM9XtVoCRpkgN9VfuL3KyhEl72y0ZofplrLGXNiUpOjFUcM4yc1eOEm5sFS0hAMCQXjCLSa8ji8vg/s1600/PTCL_Student_Package.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgkGcoXr_qftp71xRsJMZwz8JjhtBDAxGGSsxOXv2E26qZmhTkkE5Lw8gck3t6BiM9XtVoCRpkgN9VfuL3KyhEl72y0ZofplrLGXNiUpOjFUcM4yc1eOEm5sFS0hAMCQXjCLSa8ji8vg/s1600/PTCL_Student_Package.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="wp-caption-text"> A note published on October Monthly bills of PTCL.</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> This probably won’t be very pleasing for all the students out there, but the news is that PTCL is likely to phase out its extremely popular student package over a period of next few months.</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> While we don’t have official confirmation for this, however, sources confirm us that company is looking for ways to substitute its student package with other similar products.</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> It merits mentioning here that PTCL has communicated its customers through monthly bills this month that 1 MB student package would be charged at Rs. 1,250, while 2 MB student package will be charged Rs. 1,450 from November 1st, 2013.</div> <div class="adsxpls" id="adsxpls1" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Not to mention, these charges are usual tariff for normal broadband packages.</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Student segment, as mentioned above, is immensely lucrative and shares hefty amount of broadband subscribers for PTCL, the market leader in broadband market.</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> With changing market dynamics, company is now looking for ways to capitalize the niche with similar but capped products to boost revenues. One such example is Economy Broadband Package, that offers 1Mbps speeds at a monthly charge of Rs. 499, but comes with 10 GB data limit per month.</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> PTCL told RexHacker that customers should expect a wide array of products for students starting 2014. Company said that not only various new broadband packages will be announced but more technologies will be brought into the scope to entertain the students.</div> <div class="wp-caption-text" style="text-align: left;"> However, for time being at least, the discount granted to students for broadband DSL is over.</div> </div> </div>

PTCL is Likely to Discontinue the Student DSL Package

A note published on October Monthly bills of PTCL. This probably won’t be very pleasing for all the students out there, but the news...

Read more »

Warid adds Record Breaking Postpaid Subscribers in a Single Month

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOtvYNnc8XCZ-EKbX2zA9wG5dO_RASirAsI4mVMPnm6RzCM86Kic3B12Gqim9quSqR3gtgfUlo98hc88PT3ClAaai1qYP_popfgmE8Le1v2iWuY5LGeRa-Ur7MD9_8fxDMUx-B1U1vQB4/s1600/Warid-Telecom-Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOtvYNnc8XCZ-EKbX2zA9wG5dO_RASirAsI4mVMPnm6RzCM86Kic3B12Gqim9quSqR3gtgfUlo98hc88PT3ClAaai1qYP_popfgmE8Le1v2iWuY5LGeRa-Ur7MD9_8fxDMUx-B1U1vQB4/s320/Warid-Telecom-Logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> At a time when telecom market is going through ruthless competition, Warid has sold over 19,000 postpaid connections in a single month to mark a new record for the postpaid sales in a month.<br /> Sources tell RexHacker that this record number of 19,000 postpaid sales came through franchise, Corporate Sales and Business Center network, which is a record score for any cellular company in a single month. (Specially the franchise segment has contributed the major share of the sales).<img alt="cleardot Warid adds Record Breaking Postpaid Subscribers in a Single Month" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/images/cleardot.gif" title="Warid adds Record Breaking Postpaid Subscribers in a Single Month" /><br /> Postpaid customers are always the special customers because they pay their bills in advance while they also deposit cash security on new postpaid connection. Naturally they are high paying customers.<br /> <div class="adsxpls" id="adsxpls1" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"> </div> Postpaid base is considered as strength of an operator, this is why almost every telco is offering really low-priced plans to gain postpaid base.<br /> Lucrative post-paid segment is usually less concerned over price while they desire outstanding network with crystal clear voice quality, consistent connectivity  and premium care services. Usually the elite and business class prefer a postpaid connection.<br /> Postpaid segment not only adds great value to revenues but it also indicates the quality of network and service standards maintained by a telco.<br /> Warid, widely known as quality network, is topping the postpaid base in the country with 538,000 customers.</div>

Warid adds Record Breaking Postpaid Subscribers in a Single Month

At a time when telecom market is going through ruthless competition, Warid has sold over 19,000 postpaid connections in a single month t...

Read more »

Korean Version of Smartphones Hit Pakistani Markets

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1CuPkrM17p6A1-Bt2GajaE-Z0q9zT-40mMGN_mIl9DeEatfCR3GwOHNM9jfABtxcnwo3iZ2mobu_TzB1YFe6BXnUFyM1dehtWv-O6egV0rQKJfBPcaFpV6lUluLuDAQUwiP-lD50N2K8/s1600/Samsung_S3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1CuPkrM17p6A1-Bt2GajaE-Z0q9zT-40mMGN_mIl9DeEatfCR3GwOHNM9jfABtxcnwo3iZ2mobu_TzB1YFe6BXnUFyM1dehtWv-O6egV0rQKJfBPcaFpV6lUluLuDAQUwiP-lD50N2K8/s1600/Samsung_S3.jpg" /></a></div> During your visit to a local mobile market, have you ever come across a situation when two smartphones having same name, same brand, exactly same features and same specs but they are sold at two different prices?<br /> One being sold at at-least half the price of the other.<br /> Ever wondered why? especially when the cheaper phone isn’t Chinese version?<br /> Well that’s because there are two versions of smartphones reaching Pakistani stores these days. One of them is usually the global version or the standard version that is sold at normal or higher prices. Then there’s a Korean Versions of smartphones, which are sold with lower price tags.<br /> These Korean smartphones, as mentioned above, comes with same looks, equally good build quality and with same features as of the international version.<br /> <b>How to Recognize a Korean Smartphone?</b><br /> <div class="adsxpls" id="adsxpls1" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"> </div> Here are some ways of recognizing a Korean version of smartphone:<br /> <ul> <li>Korean phones mostly have antennas, which look terrible and they have no use in Pakistan.</li> <li>Plus most of these phones will have some kind of logos on the back, showing that these phones are on a carrier and they have been unlocked.</li> <li>Boot screen on Korean phones is also different than the international version. We noticed most phones had anycall logo on the loading screen (see above image).</li> </ul> Please note that some Korean phones come without any differences and are exactly the duplicate of standard version and hence hard to recognize.<br /> In such cases, you will have to judge the origin of smartphone with the shortcomings that are mentioned below:<br /> <b>Shortcomings of Korean Smartphones:</b><br /> <ul> <li>These phones have 80 character limit for text messages, which means if you want to send a longer (than 80 character) SMS then you won’t be able send the complete message. There is a way to increase text limit to 160 by installing Go SMS pro or handcent, but that’s something not usual.</li> <li>These phones have different unnecessary apps installed on them – and can’t be uninstalled unless device is rooted — which consume storage and RAM.</li> <li>It’s difficult to root these phones as some of these phone have recovery mod in Korean language, custom ROMs are hard to find and install for such phones. Finding firmware can also be hard.</li> <li>Some users reported that Korean phones, at times, struggle with signals and hence faced call drop issues</li> <li>For some users, Korean version of smartphones had issues with recognizing SIM card.</li> <li>These Korean phones consume almost double the battery as compared to international versions.</li> <li>These phones come with pathetic resale value.</li> </ul> These were few compromises that you will have to make for paying less.<br /> But Beware of the fact that some shopkeepers may also try to sell you the Korean phone at standard prices (in case of used handsets), so while buying a used handset make sure that you are buying only what you are paying for.<br /> Also to note, before buying smartphones from online stores and classified websites (such as from OLX), the device must be checked properly before you make a purchase.<br /> Do share your experience in comments if you have come across a Korean phone lately!</div>

Korean Version of Smartphones Hit Pakistani Markets

During your visit to a local mobile market, have you ever come across a situation when two smartphones having same name, same brand, exa...

Read more »

Samsung Ranks Second in the List of Companies Spending Most on Research

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-2yG7-zRmYYMpqhnBcK4eo1ZkFk34K8H8TKkNfbjG5hd-jrDqwouAoIPfaJKEaoYZLCIu6G0B81X8rWG8Mhv9mu8v91K8z7d01nuDsrhwj0x4_lFBDfvx4CERCE0ldCqH5KlZGt0d5U/s1600/samsung-headquarters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-2yG7-zRmYYMpqhnBcK4eo1ZkFk34K8H8TKkNfbjG5hd-jrDqwouAoIPfaJKEaoYZLCIu6G0B81X8rWG8Mhv9mu8v91K8z7d01nuDsrhwj0x4_lFBDfvx4CERCE0ldCqH5KlZGt0d5U/s1600/samsung-headquarters.jpg" /></a></div> According to a new report on companies that spent most on Research and Development last year, Samsung ranked 2nd overall. The Korean company spent $10.4 billion on its future projects, $1 billion less than the German car company Volkswagen which came first.<br /> Meanwhile Samsung’s primary competitors weren’t even close. Apple, for instance, wasn’t even in the table.<br /> Only Nokia and Sony managed an appearance, climbing on to 18th and 20th spots respectively. For Nokia with $6.1 billion, the year marked a 14.4% plunge in the money spent on this category.<br /> Intel and Microsoft reached 4th and 5th respectively while Google, with its plethora of both bizarre and high-tech projects could only reach 12th, spending $6.8 billion.<br /> <div class="adsxpls" id="adsxpls1" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"> </div> What, however, is worth noting is that these companies  have spent this money, not only on their mobile phone divisions, but on pretty much everything they make. Samsung, for example, makes everything from Televisions to Refrigerators. Also, while some companies have spent more on research than others, the difference amongst them isn’t really that much.<br /> The overall spend, globally, on the R&D stood at $638 billion, with Software & Internet, Health, and Auto sectors accounting for 74% of the overall growth in spending.<br /> Overall, technology companies grabbed 13 positions out of 20, which shows just how much on the cutting-edge the companies here have to be.<br /> Here is the list of top 20 companies spending on R&D the most:<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCnfEUrn-YvLkuCMFWFaBSP4GCTjT6r6V8WzTcndh8OuIr7y4NEgAR8j2zTFS8Vs0gpnUI3oFqgOpkDJK7DWH87ajcw_uwv6qDdgJ7YDLcJYusQtBgsBBLogmBhT42QLmvOJs_sVVBRhE/s1600/RD_Spend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCnfEUrn-YvLkuCMFWFaBSP4GCTjT6r6V8WzTcndh8OuIr7y4NEgAR8j2zTFS8Vs0gpnUI3oFqgOpkDJK7DWH87ajcw_uwv6qDdgJ7YDLcJYusQtBgsBBLogmBhT42QLmvOJs_sVVBRhE/s1600/RD_Spend.jpg" /></a></div> </div>

Samsung Ranks Second in the List of Companies Spending Most on Research

According to a new report on companies that spent most on Research and Development last year, Samsung ranked 2nd overall. The Korean co...

Read more »

LG Announces G Flex, The Real Curved Screen Smartphone!

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwSrvZMCYvqH1OOYew2LTRmrWZnrDnpcxDrqLQ9tSu1uqgejHvcsRJ-1uXJt506dhv8znspoxDBlcyLbfB7Oy3Msaw57i-bx7TUSodlD4-qEC_6WSWL__kNqUM9JuzjpcRjJ2t0BL4UE/s1600/LG_G_Flex-3_verge_super_wide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwSrvZMCYvqH1OOYew2LTRmrWZnrDnpcxDrqLQ9tSu1uqgejHvcsRJ-1uXJt506dhv8znspoxDBlcyLbfB7Oy3Msaw57i-bx7TUSodlD4-qEC_6WSWL__kNqUM9JuzjpcRjJ2t0BL4UE/s1600/LG_G_Flex-3_verge_super_wide1.jpg" /></a></div> LG today announced the world’s first true curved-screen smartphone the G Flex. With the announcement, LG has officially taken on the rival Samsung in curved screen smartphone market.<br /> Weighing a little high at 177g, the G Flex uses a flexible OLED screen technology offer 6 inch display with a dramatic curve on the horizontal axis.<br /> Characterizing the G Flex, Park Jong-Seok, President of LG’s mobile Unit said that phone is the best representation yet of how a smartphone should be curved. He called it world’s first real curved-screen smartphone.<br /> Inside the G Flex, there is a 2.26GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor, 2GB of RAM, a 13-megapixel camera, and a staggering 3,500 mAh battery.<br /> LG has said that curved nature of screen will offer wider viewing angles and enhanced experience. Unlike Samsung, LG didn’t offer any tailor-made aiding software to capitalize the curved screen.<br /> <div class="adsxpls" id="adsxpls1" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"> </div> On top of its curved nature, G Flex – according to company – uses a self-healing technology that will automatically get rid of scratches on the rear of the phone.<br /> <blockquote> The LG G Flex is the first smartphone to apply a “Self Healing” coating on the back cover.<br /> The elastic coating has the ability to recover from the daily wear-and-tear scratches and nicks that un-cased smartphones are likely to receive, keeping the G Flex looking newer longer.</blockquote> LG G Flex will be made available in Korea starting November. Worldwide availability is yet to be announced. No words on price of G Flex were said.<br /> <h4> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Specifications:</span></h4> Key Specifications are for the Korean Version, international version may carry different specs.<br /> <ul> <li>Processor: 2.26 GHz Quad-Core Qualcomm? Snapdragon™ 800 (MSM 8974)</li> <li>GPU: Adreno 330, 450MHz</li> <li>Display: 6-inch HD (1280 x 720), Curved P-OLED (Real RGB)</li> <li>Memory: 2GB LP DDR3 RAM / 32GB eMMc</li> <li>Camera: <ul> <li>Rear 13.0MP</li> <li>Front 2.1MP</li> </ul> </li> <li>Battery: 3,500mAh (embedded)</li> <li>Operating System: Android Jelly Bean 4.2.2</li> <li>Size: 160.5 x 81.6 x 7.9 – 8.7mm</li> <li>Weight: 177g</li> <li>Network: LTE-A / LTE / HSPA+ / GSM</li> <li>Connectivity: BT 4.0 / USB 3.0 compatible / WiFi (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac) / NFC</li> <li>Color: Titan Silver</li> </ul> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqCNC0kz9PhONIswWoSXCdcfIrJLpJgo6m5myyD0kMiaHwrC4R69RJ6iReEKaoQDs5d2_4hlvcZwu5wlmpllhmPJyge19s9E2LBwcGkMBNo2B3RagJWgSPr9LG5bPzV_lUkTqS1DTUVg/s1600/LG_G_Flex-2_verge_super_wide3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqCNC0kz9PhONIswWoSXCdcfIrJLpJgo6m5myyD0kMiaHwrC4R69RJ6iReEKaoQDs5d2_4hlvcZwu5wlmpllhmPJyge19s9E2LBwcGkMBNo2B3RagJWgSPr9LG5bPzV_lUkTqS1DTUVg/s1600/LG_G_Flex-2_verge_super_wide3.jpg" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYO0oAsfxn-XazOj5SUrZJGJqUpsDwkIKA84CpzU58dbbzczuQRDMBn5MP69dO5HfE89pYk9CQ9J6PH2dKAapRPBi0N6-DyhEheDu8eVG-yHvfCZtIjqyCRzMmmpdxG-620tHUemwTNQ/s1600/LG_G_Flex-4_verge_super_wide2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYO0oAsfxn-XazOj5SUrZJGJqUpsDwkIKA84CpzU58dbbzczuQRDMBn5MP69dO5HfE89pYk9CQ9J6PH2dKAapRPBi0N6-DyhEheDu8eVG-yHvfCZtIjqyCRzMmmpdxG-620tHUemwTNQ/s1600/LG_G_Flex-4_verge_super_wide2.jpg" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfz-LvumOMth-iaIQZ_UrFKSbHt7BQ5IVqfp0cDPfQyXUpesdxu4Cm_raHQTMNgxm5LWqP0D69T27NXpYWZxP94rZvLfzGTSNWP9jn7159mBOQhLzOzJ7bTVw5gEO-N5e8McXixzzmUy4/s1600/LG_G_Flex-1_verge_super_wide4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfz-LvumOMth-iaIQZ_UrFKSbHt7BQ5IVqfp0cDPfQyXUpesdxu4Cm_raHQTMNgxm5LWqP0D69T27NXpYWZxP94rZvLfzGTSNWP9jn7159mBOQhLzOzJ7bTVw5gEO-N5e8McXixzzmUy4/s1600/LG_G_Flex-1_verge_super_wide4.jpg" /></a></div> </div>

LG Announces G Flex, The Real Curved Screen Smartphone!

LG today announced the world’s first true curved-screen smartphone the G Flex. With the announcement, LG has officially taken on the riv...

Read more »

PTA Officers Visit Telcos to Confirm Blocking of Un-Verified SIMs

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcl7zbxILpE348upG_IXibjcySQZz-v6lJVDPVflKVItbrnvPfkirBGWr_kuy3vdYhvuSTHWBjCXFkE8iUimVHzSqNVrX6nfcPZwjalEPduzwPO6-D9d-o60LkguXch6CdpOqa4ASAQn4/s1600/Blocked-SIM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcl7zbxILpE348upG_IXibjcySQZz-v6lJVDPVflKVItbrnvPfkirBGWr_kuy3vdYhvuSTHWBjCXFkE8iUimVHzSqNVrX6nfcPZwjalEPduzwPO6-D9d-o60LkguXch6CdpOqa4ASAQn4/s1600/Blocked-SIM.jpg" /></a></div> Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has started to confirm blocking of unverified SIMs by inspecting the Home Location Registers (HLRs) of the Cellular Mobile Operators (CMOs), said a statement issued by the regulator.<br /> PTA team headed by Director General (Enforcement) visited CMOs’ offices during last week to confirm the blocking of SIMs that could not be re-verified beyond September 2013.<br /> During the visit, progress made by CMOs on identifying and blocking “not re-verified” SIMs was checked by PTA. CMOs assured PTA to continue their efforts against identity theft wherein SIMs were activated without the knowledge of CNIC holders, said the statement.<br /> <div class="adsxpls" id="adsxpls1" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"> </div> It was, however, not mentioned in the statement that how many unregistered SIMs were blocked during the process. It also didn’t clarify if all the unregistered SIMs were blocked or if there were still any unregistered byt unblocked SIMs remaining.<br /> It is pertinent to mention here that PTA has set up a system called “SIM Information System – 668” in order to ensure that the SIMs are registered against the CNIC of the authorized (legitimate) user.<br /> A customer can get the count of each mobile company’s SIMs registered against his/her CNIC by sending his/her CNIC number to short code “668”. In case of any data mismatch, the customer can remove extra SIMs against his/her CNIC by requesting respective operator.<br /> Users of all such disowned SIMs are then approached by respective mobile operator to get the SIM registered against his/her CNIC. Otherwise, the same is blocked after 15 days’ time period. General public is requested to support PTA and CMOs by using this system and disown extra SIMs registered on their CNICs without their consent.<br /> PTA is following the policy guidelines of the government on blocking and verification of SIMs. It is hoped that the issue of un-authorized SIMs will be resolved through a joint effort by all stakeholders including the general public.</div>

PTA Officers Visit Telcos to Confirm Blocking of Un-Verified SIMs

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has started to confirm blocking of unverified SIMs by inspecting the Home Location Registers ...

Read more »