October 13, 2009

PTA Directs LDI Operators to follow Approved Settlement Rates

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), has directed all Long Distance & International (LDI) operators to maintain approved settlement rates for international calls at the level determined by the Authority and decided to issue show cause notices to the LDI operators involved in illegal call termination.

These decisions were taken at PTA Headquarters in a meeting to review the Approved Settlement Rates (ASR) and Access Promotion Contribution (APC). The meeting was chaired by Chairman PTA Dr. Mohammed Yaseen and attended by Member Finance PTA Syed Nasrul Karim Ghaznavi, concerned PTA officials and all LDI operators.

Presently the approved settlement rate is US cents 10 per minute for international calls coming into Pakistan, but PTA was apprised by LDI operators that some operators are bringing traffic into the country at lower than the approved rates.

Chairman PTA said that all operators should follow the instructions of the Authority in this regard. He said that strict action will be taken against those operators not following the PTA approved rates. He further said that LDI is an important segment and PTA will facilitate its growth.

In the meeting, the Authority decided to issue Show Cause notices within 10 days to the LDI operators if found involved in illegal call termination business. It was also decided to upgrade the traffic monitoring system facility to curb grey traffic.

 

Khurram Ali Mehran

Deputy Director (PR)