Telenor:
Telenor has introduced three different devices, namely 3G Connect, 3G Connect WiFi and 3G Mobile WiFi. The devices are priced 2200, 3000 and 4500 respectively. Telenor has launched 4 different bundles namely Introductory, Economy, Heavy and Unlimited. Given below are their details.

Daily: This is a daily package which is for 75rs per day inclusive of taxes and the validity is 1 day.

Introductory: This is the least costly package at 300rs inclusive of tax along with 30 days validity for 3GB of volume.

Economy:  This offer comes with 10GB of volume with a validity of 30 days at 750rs inclusive of taxes.

Heavy: This bundle comes with 20GB of data worth 30 days of validity and costs 1100rs along with taxes.

Unlimited: This offer has 30GB of bandwidth for 1500rs inclusive of taxes with 30 days validity.

Warid:
Warid is offering two different packages for their consumers:

Wingle Bundled Package: This package costs 6000rs/month and offers 20GB/month for upto 3 months after which user can change their package to their desired one.

Wingle Standalone:  You can get the device for 2500rs and then choose a bundle of your choice.

If you choose standalone device or want to change your package after the 3 month bundle expiry then following bundles are available:

Wingle Smart: 15GB 1500rs
Wingle Extra: 20GB 2000rs
Wingle Ultra: 35GB 3000rs

Warid has also recently launched double volume offer that gives double volume on any chosen bundle. This can be availed on both the bundle packages and standalone packages.

Mobilink:
Mobilink offers 2 devices namely Wi-Fi Wingle for Rs. 2,900 with FREE data SIM +20GB internet for the first month and Wi-Fi device for Rs. 2,900 with FREE data SIM +20GB internet for the first month. Seperately Mobilink has best bundles for their users at 1500rs for 20GB/month inclusive of all taxes. There is also a 30GB/month bundle that gives additional 20GB/month(for a limited time) at 2000rs inclusive of taxes.

We hope that we can help our users find the perfect package as per their usage needs. Do you prefer any particular telco over others for its quality of service? Let us know in the comments below.

Khurram Zahid

The post Telcos Offer New Mobile Broadband Packages! appeared first on Smartchoice.pk.

Rumor remains a rumor

The news of Warid acquisition is not new and other telecom operators have tried to buy the company. The market had been abuzz with the possible Warid deals since 2011 and the trend seems to continue even now. It it not a hidden secret that the gulf based Abu Dhabi group wants to sell the company; so far no buyer has been successful in closing the deal with them.

Warid telecom entered the market along with Telenor back in mid-2000s and made a name for itself with exceptional call quality. During its decade of existence in Pakistan, where other companies gradually shifted to more cost-effective hardware providers such as ZTE, Warid continued to its relation with Nokia Siemens Network whose superior hardware maintained strong performance in most parts of the country where Warid provides coverage.

What changed?

The competition between providers has been so tough that customers, especially prepaid ones, go for the lowest call rates and even switch network as soon as a new (and lower) call/sms package is announced. The low ARPU (Average Revenue Per User) kept getting low over the years and that made business tough for Warid.

At the same time Warid focused heavily on the corporate/business users and currently hold the highest number of corporate clients in Pakistan. The lack of aggression to acquire prepaid users left Warid behind and slowly the total number of users reduced, so much so that Zong overtook Warid a few years ago and left the company at the very bottom of the list.

Eventually Warid’s management realized it can no longer compete based on price wars and talks about mergers/acquisition began.

How true is it?

Until a proper announcement is made, the news of Warid’s acquisition should be treated as a rumor. There have been talks between various telecoms acquiring Warid and some had gone to advanced levels only to break down towards the end. There are obvious benefits for any non-4G license holder to acquire Warid, gaining the LTE network the telecom provider recently established in major urban areas of Pakistan.

Without formal announcement by Warid and/or other companies, the news hold now value and only expectations/anticipation.

Khurram Zahid

The post Has Warid Landed a Deal? appeared first on Smartchoice.pk.

Following is the text of letter that was sent to one of the customers:

Dear ________

Ever since the inception of Wateen Wimax (Pvt) Ltd, our primary focus has been towards providing an outstanding broadband experience to its customers. We have always strived towards attainment of excellence within the telecom industry and the best interest of the customer has always been our paramount concern.

Unfortunately the socioeconomic conditions in the country and the prevailing market trends have incapacitated Wateen Wimax (Pvt) Ltd. from further attainment of its envisioned ambition, and it is with regret that we must inform you that Wateen Wimax (Pvt) Ltd. has decided to discontinue the provisioning of broadband internet services within your area. The decision with respect to the discontinuation of service has been taken after thorough deliberation and the evaluation of all alternative options.

However, in consonance with our dedication to safeguard the interest of our customers, Wateen has, subject to your consent formalized all possible arrangements to effectuate a seamless transition from the network of Wateen Wimax (Pvt) Ltd. to that of Warid LTE. This alternative solution ensure you stay connected and have continuing access to the internet.

We thank you for your continued support and shall endeavor that migration procedure is as convenient and hassle-free as possible. Your satisfaction has always been our priority – your trust, our true reward.

Feel free to call our customer service representative with any queries on the following helpline number 111-365-111.

The discontinuation of service shouldn’t come as a surprise. Wateen and Qubee had formed a joint venture called NewCo. that had started to manage Wateen services and the company migrated operations that severely affected performance in many areas.

In many areas Wateen had started to remove its towers, causing complete lack of signals for its customers, and these towers were later auctioned through newspaper advertisements. Affected customers were asked to contact helpline for a refund. Many of these customers had purchased Wateen service with hefty upfront cost in order to benefit from discount packages, such as pay for two and get one month service free and pay for six months and get four months internet free.

The most weirdest aspect of this letter is the recommendation of Warid LTE rather than continuing with the joint venture NewCo. or migrate to another ISP like Qubee. Wateen is a Wimax service while Warid LTE is a 4G technology, much expensive and with limited coverage compared to what Wateen offered. Moreover, Wateen provided unlimited downloads which is not available in 4G and an 1800/month package of Wateen is much different than more expensive and data-capped MiFi packages from Warid.

Being an ISP Wateen had a process to resolve customer complaints, with representative visiting premises of the customer to make sure internet service is working properly. Customers will not receive the same treatment by migrating to Warid which provides mobile broadband.

Other ISPs are still providing quality service in the city. Qubee, Wi-Tribe, PTCL, Worldcall etc are providing services to the customers and are better broadband options for residential areas. Customers can choose suitable packages by checking their area on SmartChoice.pk website.

Khurram Zahid

The post Wateen to Discontinue Internet Services appeared first on Smartchoice.pk.