Recently, the government had asked the cellular operators to bear all the set-up expenditures of biometric SIMs activation and verification apparatus solely on their own. Currently mobile phone companies are selling SIMs at 250,000 sales points across Pakistan (including service centres, retailers and franchises), but initially it will be installed in at least 70,000 to 75,000 retail outlets across the country.
A telecom official, while sharing his concerns regarding the government’s directives on biometric system with Daily Times, said that though the telecom operators have agreed upon setting up the system in deep interest of national security, however, passing on a full load of all fixing cost of biometric system on the telecom companies is not an ample move of the government when the businesses are already running in a rugged situation.
He was of the view that the national security adversities are uniformly the concern of the entire nation, thus all the stakeholders should contribute in this matter, supplementing that mainly the government, being a leader and regulator, is more responsible to stand for the essential installation expenditures of this biometric system.
Suggesting the favourable measures, he said that the Universal Service Fund (USF), which was established to promote the development of telecommunication services in unserved and under-served areas and other development funds of telecoms, can be utilised to install biometric system as it is an advanced step, which will enhance the national security environment.
While elaborating on the details he informed Daily Times that the government has directed the cellular operators that this new device or the system will be purchased on their own. The demurs have been evolving amid the cellular operators about the sole responsibility of the hefty set-up cost of this system. The installation cost of a biometric system across Pakistan at around 70,000 to 75,000 retail points has been projected at Rs 3 billion based on the availability of specialised equipment to be imported from abroad while it will take a minimum of one year to be operational.
He said cellular operators are ready to support the nation in the war against terrorism as they have agreed upon the installation, like in the past all operators have always complied with all the directives of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the government.
According to the company’s official, the installation of a complete biometric equipment at every point of sale will cost between Rs 35,000 to Rs 40,000 per outlet, in addition National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has also increased the SIM verification charges through biometric to Rs 28 from Rs 13 per transaction. It is to be noted that the cellular operators will adjust this extra cost hiked by NADRA on their own while the operators in the last three to four years already have borne almost Rs 2 billion. NADRA charges for different types of SIMs verification processes.
The official stated that the companies are not willing to move any other extra burden on to the end user. While criticising the role of NADRA he said that instead of contributing to this national cause they have increased charges and the government has not been asked to cut the charges.
He urged the NADRA that it should substantially reduce the charges for this cause of national security in dire need in the current situation.
The government should share around 40 percent to 50 percent equipment cost through reducing import duties and by funding from different sources. Companies also seek help of the government in the entire procedure as these devices are not widely available because this technology has not been employed by any cellular company worldwide till date, he added.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Abrar Hamza
Quelle/Source: Pakistan Daily Times, 24.09.2013
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