IT & Telecom News Update: 29th Jan, 2010

FBR to Introduce Track And Trace System
Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) in collaboration with National Database Registration Authority (NADRA) has decided to introduce a high-tech Track And Trace System to stop the tax thefts across the country.

According to sources,  NADRA has received several application from internationally known companies for the developing the Track And Trace System while a Swiss company involved in a joint venture with the Government of Pakistan has given a direct request to FBR for providing the system.

This European firm and stated that it will bear the cost of implementing the system in Pakistan but will impose services charges which will be born by the industry. this way, neither the government nor the FBR will have to pay anything towards the system.

Apple Introduced its new ‘Tablet” Computer
San Francisco (NNI): American Company Apple Mac introduced its state-of-the-art “Tablet” computer about which the experts say that it has revolutionary multi-media technology. This fully touch-screen enabled i-Pad comes with full access to the internet and other than just documentation applications, one can play a variety of games on this Apple Tablet computer. Prior to the Tablet i-Pad, Apple Macintosh has introduced plenty of other computers and gadget in the recent past.

Samsung Enters 3-D Market
Samsung Electronics Company Limited has become the first company to enter the world 3-D technology, especially the manufacturing market of LED and LCD TV. This month, Samsung began the manufacturing of 40 inch, 46 inch and 55 inch Full HD-3D television oriented LCD and LED Panels using the ‘3D Actives Glasses’ Technology. Besides that, the electronic giant has also used True 240Hz technology.

Imran Zia, the new MD – PSEB
Imran Zia, the former chairman of Pakistan Software House Association (PASHA) has been recently appointed as the new Managing Director of Pakistan Software Education Board (PSEB) and is expected soon to be seen in an interview at Web Studio – CIO Pakistan.
PTCL broadband launches new value added WiFi service
Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd (PTCL) has launched a WiFi facility with its fixed line broadband service enabling the PTCL Broadband customers the ability to use high speed and secure broadband services anywhere in the house.

This service gives wire-free connectivity to all WiFi-enabled devices like desktops, laptops, PSP, cell phones etc, with strong WiFi signals up to 54MBPS, and with password security giving complete protection from any misuse.

PTCL offers this customer friendly WiFi service at an additional Rs 200 per month although the customers having broadband and Smart TV service will bear no extra charges.

The package also includes a WiFi USB for customer’s desktop PC to be used for WiFi service. SEVP Commercial Naveed Saeed Stated, “By launching this service, PTCL again has reinforced its commitment to provide our customers with updated technology at reasonable cost and with no additional cost for Broadband customers with smart TV service.

Etisalat defers planned 1.8 billion dirham bond
Emirates Telecommunications Corp (Etisalat) will postpone a planned 1.8 billion dirham bond issue because it has sufficient cash to fund expansion. “Maybe we will issue the bond at a later stage, but we still haven’t decided when,” Mohamed Omran, chairman of the Etisalat, said on Thursday.

Asked when Etisalat planned to make a payment of $800 million to Pakistan for a stake in Pakistan Telecommunication Co, Omran said: “We have the money and will only make the payment once all the land is transferred”.

In 2006, Etisalat signed an agreement to buy a 26 percent stake in PTCL for $2.6 billion. but only $1.4 billion has been paid due to problems linked with a transfer of 3,000 real estate units.

Under the contract, the government agreed to transfer the properties before Etisalat made the full payment. This week, it was expected that Etisalat would make the payment by the end of March, according to Pakistan’s Minister of Privatization Waqar Ahmed Khan.

“If the minister is confident that this will happen in March then we will pay in March,” said Omran. Etisalat faced increased competition in its home market after Dubai-based DU broke its monopoly in 2007 . Etisalat with operations in 18 countries, including is one of the several Gulf Arab telecom operators who have expanded overseas after losing monopoly at home.

Badal do Qismat’ campaign: Ufone, Pepsi announce winner
Ufone and Pepsi concluded the joint campaign ‘Badal do Qismat’ and announced Usman Pathan of Sukkur as the winner of the grand prize ‘Mazda RX8′ at an event held at Pepsi head office and the key was handed over at Ufone head office.

That’s all for now. Join me tomorrow for more information at Bandwidth TV. Good Bye