1.547 mln SIMs sold in February 2009: NA told.

ISLAMABAD, April 24, 2009 (Balochistan Times) -- The deployment of new system to curb sale of illegal, unregistered, non-verified and pre-active mobile SIMs has put no negative impact on sale of mobile SIMs, the National Assembly was informed here on Friday. According to a survey as many as 1.547 mobile SIMs connections were sold in February 2009, while during the corresponding period last year 1.541 million SIMs were purchased by the customers. The survey was carried out by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) in Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, Rawalpindi and Muzaffarabad to ensure sale of cellular SIMs in accordance with the Standing Operating Procedure (SOP). The survey revealed that 209,994 connections of CM Pak were sold in February 2008, while in February 2009 as many as 316,849 SIMs of the company were purchased. A total 405,850 U-fone SIMs were sold in the second month of 2008, while the number reduced to 279,630 during the corresponding period this year. Some 447,168 SIMs of Mobilink were purchased in 2008. In February 2009 the sale of the company declined to 364,969 SIMs. As many as 670,000 SIMs of Telenor and 228,013 of Warid were sold in February 2008, while 350,175 and 236,342 of Telenor and Warid were sold in February 2009 respectively. It was informed that new regime of sales of in-active SIMs has been effectively implemented in the country with effect from February 1, 2009. Under the revised SOP customer has to personally visit Customer Service Centre, Franchise or retailer for purchase of new in-active mobile SIM, the Minister Incharge of the Cabinet Division told the House in a written reply. He said the SIM is activated after successful confirmation of customers data from National Database Registration Authority (NADRA).

(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)