April 10, 2009

PTA Busts Illegal Gateway Exchange

Islamabad: In pursuance of its efforts against illegal telecom traffic, a team of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) alongwith FIA has busted an illegal international gateway exchange in a residential area of Karachi. According to details, the illegal setup was detected through the Technical Facility installed by PTA to monitor the illegal business of telecom through out the country. Upon investigation and confirmation, a successful raid was conducted by PTA Zonal Office Karachi and FIA at F 73/4, Block-4 Clifton and an operational international gateway exchange was seized.

M/s Breezcom setup was using bandwidth for international connectivity while multiple GSM SIMs were being used for local call termination. The confiscated equipment includes one Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) gateway along with other accessories. Computer carrying data of illegal telecom traffic was also confiscated. It is estimated that the setup was causing revenue loss worth millions of rupees to national exchequer. FIA has registered a case against the accused and arrested two owners of the company and initiated legal action against them as per Telecom Act.

It may be mentioned that PTA has acquired a Technical Solution for addressing the menace of grey traffic brought into the country through illegal means. It is a proven solution which is currently being used by various telecom operators across the globe. PTA as a regulator shall continue to track such unlawful activities to apprehend the individuals involved and to protect public money.

 

Khurram Ali Mehran

Director (PR)