http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?p...5-9-2005_pg5_11



Warid to invest additional $400m

ISLAMABAD: Warid Telecom would invest around $ 400 million in 2nd and 3rd phase to add around 100 cities to its network by December this year with an additional connection capacity of 1.8 million.

Chief executive officer of Warid Telecom, Hamid Farooq talking to APP here on Wednesday said Wireless Local Loop (WLL) service should not be used as a back door entry to cellular industry.

“We believe PTA would require stringent monitoring to enforce this differentiation, as violation of limited mobility will give very negative signals to the foreign investors.”

He said, “We are building a base of satisfied customers and this would help us in network expansion. Mr Farooq said Warid has been first to introduce new features for users including zero line rent post paid, 30 second billing, lowest and very attractive international dialing rates and friends and family service.

He said cellular industry, Mobile Number Portability is a key issue, to which government has agreed and decided to put in place we would like to see its early implementation. He said company has procured license for Long Distance International (LDI) and Wireless Local Loop (WLL) in almost all regions, he said and added group is also setting up a nationwide optic fibre network in Pakistan of about 5000 kms.

He said this would provide a backbone for Warid Telecom’s GSM network and hopefully would also be available to other telecom companies and ISPs. app