BILAL HUSSAIN
Once again the union home ministry is going tough with cellular service providers in Jammu and Kashmir, as the telcos have started ceasing distributorship agreements in Kashmir. The distributors have threatened to launch valley wide protests here on Tuesday.
Ceasing of agreements would render tens of hundreds of kiosks without income to sustain their livings. “I am in this business from past three years and of sudden the mobile service operator has served me a termination notice. This is the only source of my income I would be left without any source of earning,” said a mobile booth owner, who distributes SIM cards of a telecom company here.
The move has evoked sharp criticism from the people associated with the trade. “If the companies wouldn’t revoke their order we would be left with no option but to come on streets and protest against this unwarranted notice,” said another local kiosk owner, who wished not to be named.
Earlier, in the month of October 2009 the ministry of home affairs has decided that no prepaid mobile connections would be issued and existing prepaid SIM cards would not be renewed in J&K after Nov 1, 2009. The ministry has asked the Department of Telecommunications to take appropriate action to implement the decision.
Experts here believe that the decision is not going to impact the over all profitability of the telecom operators functional here but the move would leave thousands of youth jobless.
To mention, according to earlier reports BSNL, a public sector telecommunication company, currently has a customer base of over twelve lakh subscribers, Bharti Airtel, has got the highest customer base of over 19 lakh in the state, Dishnet Wireless has eleven lakh subscribers in the state and the new entrant in the state, Vodafone Essar has a customer base of over a lakh. There are over 38 lakh prepaid mobile phone subscribers in the state.
Distributors of the private mobile operators like Aircel, Airtel, RCom, Tatas, Vodafone and Idea Cellular, told Kashmir Times on Tuesday they have been served termination notices that without earlier intimation, even they haven’t bothered to server us any reason.
According to a close source in a private cellular company, the operators have terminated around 164 distributorship agreements in the Valley. The notices were served to several distributors by operators on Sunday evening blaming them of breaching the agreement.
One of the notices served to a kiosk owner reads, “Since you have violated and acted in breach of the terms and conditions of agreement, please take notice that in terms of clause 19 & clause 13 of the afore-mentioned agreement, the Company hereby terminates the said agreements dated 1st September 2007 & 30th April 2008 with immediate effect, without prejudice to any of its rights under the said agreements and subject to the consequences of termination as envisaged therein; and amongst others, all rights granted to you for issuance of SIMs and providing other services under the aforementioned agreement stand withdrawn. You are hereby advised to raise claims, if any, and settle your accounts within a period of seven days.”
The home secretary G K Pillai has directed the telecom operators to sack the distributors, who follow the rules set by the Department of Telecommunication [DoT], sources told KT.
However, telecoms here believe that the agreements of those distributors are being ceased who do not follow the rules and regulations of the DoT.
Showing posts with label Telecommunication. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Telecommunication. Show all posts
JK spend Rs 960 cr on cellular services annually
‘Telecom companies lack proper infrastructure’
Bilal Hussain
The telecom companies both public and private sector make enormous revenue of over Rs 960 crores annually in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Average revenue per user (ARPU), a measure used primarily by consumer communications and networking companies, it is the total revenue divided by the number of subscribers. The average monthly revenue per user ARPU fell 8.85 per cent to Rs 278 in Q1 June 2009 over Q4 March 2009 for a leading telecom company.
On an average if the mobile subscriber in the state pays Rs 200 a month —a conservative figure— to cellular service providers, the mobile subscriber base in the state is over 40 lakhs, which includes BSNL, Bharti Airtel, Dishnet Wireless, and Vodafone Essar the total amount works out is over Rs 80 crore a month.
The BSNL, a public sector telecommunication company, currently have a customer base of over eight lakh subscribers, Bharti Airtel, has got the highest customer base of over 18 lakh in the state, Dishnet Wireless has eleven lakh subscribers in the state and the new entrant in the state, Vodafone Essar has a customer base of over a lakh.
Exact figure up till August 2009 for the BSNL was 878842, for Bharti Airtel it was 1885695, Dishnet Wireless 1110163 and for Vodafone Essar 164717. Total number for all cellular connections in J&K till August this fiscal was 4039417. And same figure for the month of July 2009 was 3892626, which shows a growth of 3.77 per cent in a month.
On an average subscribers in the state spend over Rs 960 crore annually on their mobile bills. Despite the telecom companies managing huge profits in general in the state and valley in particular, they have failed in building proper infrastructure to provide up to mark services to its customers.
Noted economist Professor Nisar Ali said that the telecom companies draw huge revenues from the state but when it comes to service companies are lagging behind. The companies don’t invest much in the state compared to the revenue cellular operators are managing here so as to improve their infrastructure to provide better services to customers.
Many subscribers told KASHMIR TIMES that the services were highly unsatisfactory despite paying their bills on time.
Software engineer, Audil Hussain said, “This is not for the first time when telecom service companies have failed in providing to the mark services to its customers.”
“If the companies are not able to cater to its vast customer base they should stop providing fresh connection and up grade its infrastructure to provide hassle free services to its current existing base,” he said.
Cellular services in other places are far better than as are being provided by companies in the state. It is not only about the cellular services, the companies have not been able to provide smooth GPRS service to its customers as well, Audil said.
Many subscribers said that they where thinking to switch over to other service providers but that too is of no use as all are providing poor services in the state. “It is a bit difficult to switch over to other service providers because the number you use is already known to your friends, relatives and others. But should the companies fail to improve its services, I may switch over to some other service provider," said Nazir Ahmad of a subscriber.
According to the telecom experts here the telecom services get affected due to the unprecedented power cut in the Valley, as the companies ill-equipped to tackle power cuts.
Bilal Hussain
The telecom companies both public and private sector make enormous revenue of over Rs 960 crores annually in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Average revenue per user (ARPU), a measure used primarily by consumer communications and networking companies, it is the total revenue divided by the number of subscribers. The average monthly revenue per user ARPU fell 8.85 per cent to Rs 278 in Q1 June 2009 over Q4 March 2009 for a leading telecom company.
On an average if the mobile subscriber in the state pays Rs 200 a month —a conservative figure— to cellular service providers, the mobile subscriber base in the state is over 40 lakhs, which includes BSNL, Bharti Airtel, Dishnet Wireless, and Vodafone Essar the total amount works out is over Rs 80 crore a month.
The BSNL, a public sector telecommunication company, currently have a customer base of over eight lakh subscribers, Bharti Airtel, has got the highest customer base of over 18 lakh in the state, Dishnet Wireless has eleven lakh subscribers in the state and the new entrant in the state, Vodafone Essar has a customer base of over a lakh.
Exact figure up till August 2009 for the BSNL was 878842, for Bharti Airtel it was 1885695, Dishnet Wireless 1110163 and for Vodafone Essar 164717. Total number for all cellular connections in J&K till August this fiscal was 4039417. And same figure for the month of July 2009 was 3892626, which shows a growth of 3.77 per cent in a month.
On an average subscribers in the state spend over Rs 960 crore annually on their mobile bills. Despite the telecom companies managing huge profits in general in the state and valley in particular, they have failed in building proper infrastructure to provide up to mark services to its customers.
Noted economist Professor Nisar Ali said that the telecom companies draw huge revenues from the state but when it comes to service companies are lagging behind. The companies don’t invest much in the state compared to the revenue cellular operators are managing here so as to improve their infrastructure to provide better services to customers.
Many subscribers told KASHMIR TIMES that the services were highly unsatisfactory despite paying their bills on time.
Software engineer, Audil Hussain said, “This is not for the first time when telecom service companies have failed in providing to the mark services to its customers.”
“If the companies are not able to cater to its vast customer base they should stop providing fresh connection and up grade its infrastructure to provide hassle free services to its current existing base,” he said.
Cellular services in other places are far better than as are being provided by companies in the state. It is not only about the cellular services, the companies have not been able to provide smooth GPRS service to its customers as well, Audil said.
Many subscribers said that they where thinking to switch over to other service providers but that too is of no use as all are providing poor services in the state. “It is a bit difficult to switch over to other service providers because the number you use is already known to your friends, relatives and others. But should the companies fail to improve its services, I may switch over to some other service provider," said Nazir Ahmad of a subscriber.
According to the telecom experts here the telecom services get affected due to the unprecedented power cut in the Valley, as the companies ill-equipped to tackle power cuts.
PREPAID BAN
Ban hits mobile handset sales volume in J&K
BILAL HUSAIN
SRINAGAR, Nov 16 [2009]: With the recent ban on pre-paid mobile connection by the ministry of home affairs in Jammu and Kashmir, the sales volume of the mobile sets has gone down considerably, traders here lament.
The pre-paid ban has not only affected the subscribers but has taken toll on mobile set dealers in the state as well. “The sales has zeroed since the decision on the ban has been out,” Ashiq Hussain, a local mobile-set dealer.
The traders in the sector believe that the prepaid SIMs issued by the telecom companies here pushed the business of mobile handsets in the state. “The ban has affects the retail sector of mobile sets in the state,” said a trader, Tahir Ahmad.
However, the sales of the secondhand sets (used handsets) have gone up, the customers have started selling their handset as their mobile connections are bared. “Most of the prepaid customers whose connections have been bared and are not willing to shift to post paid. So they are selling their sets,” Tahir said.
There are over 38 lakh prepaid mobile subscribers in the state. The decision would have an impact on over all market size of the mobile handsets, is what authorized distributors believe. "Most of the customers come to us for pre paid connections but now we would not be unable to provide them one," a local dealer said.
The decision would hamper the growth of the mobile subscriber in remote rural areas, a prepaid subscriber said.
The BSNL, a public sector telecommunication company, currently has a customer base of over twelve lakh subscribers, Bharti Airtel, has got the highest customer base of over 19 lakh in the state, Dishnet Wireless has eleven lakh subscribers in the state and the new entrant in the state, Vodafone Essar has a customer base of over a lakh.
The ministry of home affairs has decided that no prepaid mobile connections would be issued and existing prepaid SIM cards would not be renewed in J&K after Nov 1, 2009, an official said. The ministry has asked the Department of Telecommunications to take appropriate action to implement the decision.
The decision is not going to impact the over all profitability of the telecom operators functional here but the subscriber base is surely going to get affect by the move, an official of a telecom operator said. “In particular the poorer people who can’t pay regular sums as is the case with the postpaid connection would be worst hits by the decision,” Nisar Ahmad Wani, telecom expert said.
Many subscribers told KT that the decision on banning the prepaid connections is uncalled for. “They should have given us time to go for postpaid connection,” said a subscriber. Social experts here believe that the move would disempower low paying category in the state.
BILAL HUSAIN
SRINAGAR, Nov 16 [2009]: With the recent ban on pre-paid mobile connection by the ministry of home affairs in Jammu and Kashmir, the sales volume of the mobile sets has gone down considerably, traders here lament.
The pre-paid ban has not only affected the subscribers but has taken toll on mobile set dealers in the state as well. “The sales has zeroed since the decision on the ban has been out,” Ashiq Hussain, a local mobile-set dealer.
The traders in the sector believe that the prepaid SIMs issued by the telecom companies here pushed the business of mobile handsets in the state. “The ban has affects the retail sector of mobile sets in the state,” said a trader, Tahir Ahmad.
However, the sales of the secondhand sets (used handsets) have gone up, the customers have started selling their handset as their mobile connections are bared. “Most of the prepaid customers whose connections have been bared and are not willing to shift to post paid. So they are selling their sets,” Tahir said.
There are over 38 lakh prepaid mobile subscribers in the state. The decision would have an impact on over all market size of the mobile handsets, is what authorized distributors believe. "Most of the customers come to us for pre paid connections but now we would not be unable to provide them one," a local dealer said.
The decision would hamper the growth of the mobile subscriber in remote rural areas, a prepaid subscriber said.
The BSNL, a public sector telecommunication company, currently has a customer base of over twelve lakh subscribers, Bharti Airtel, has got the highest customer base of over 19 lakh in the state, Dishnet Wireless has eleven lakh subscribers in the state and the new entrant in the state, Vodafone Essar has a customer base of over a lakh.
The ministry of home affairs has decided that no prepaid mobile connections would be issued and existing prepaid SIM cards would not be renewed in J&K after Nov 1, 2009, an official said. The ministry has asked the Department of Telecommunications to take appropriate action to implement the decision.
The decision is not going to impact the over all profitability of the telecom operators functional here but the subscriber base is surely going to get affect by the move, an official of a telecom operator said. “In particular the poorer people who can’t pay regular sums as is the case with the postpaid connection would be worst hits by the decision,” Nisar Ahmad Wani, telecom expert said.
Many subscribers told KT that the decision on banning the prepaid connections is uncalled for. “They should have given us time to go for postpaid connection,” said a subscriber. Social experts here believe that the move would disempower low paying category in the state.
BAN BOOSTS BUSINESS
Telecom companies manage Rs 10 cr sale on Saturday
BILAL HUSSAIN
SRINAGAR, Nov 1 [2009]: The telecom companies operational in Jammu and Kashmir, on Saturday managed sale of over Rs 10 crore, experts here believe. The companies managed huge sales due to ban on prepaid connection in the state and subscribers thronged the kiosks of different telecom operators.
Noted economist and member state finance commission J&K government, Prof Nissar Ali told KT that the enormous rush was observed on the telecom booths for recharges and
to extend validity to buy extra time.
There are over 38 lakh prepaid mobile subscribers in the state. “If we consider only 50 per cent of the prepaid users would have extended the validity or for recharges. The number would be huge 19 lakh,” said Prof Nissar.
According to Prof Nissar on average the subscribers would have shelled off Rs 50 on Saturday. “The sales figure would be over 9.5 crore on Surtady,” he adds.
There was huge rush of the customers seen at the telecom kiosks for recharges and top ups for their mobile connections.
Many subscribers told KT that it took them hours to recharge their connections. “It took me an hour to reach to the counter to ask the executive for top ups,” Nissar Ahmad Bhat, a local resident said.
For kiosks it was time to make huge sales. “Since morning I have not taken my lunch,” said Zahoor Ahmad, a booth owner in the evening said.
Earlier, DGM administration, BSNL J&K, M G Mufti, told KT that there is no need to panic. “All one need to do is to go for recharge so as to but time to convert the same number to postpaid connection.”
According to Mufti no prepaid connection and no recharge would be available after No 1, 2009. “Since we have forms with us all we need is simple application to transfer the pre paid to post paid plan,” he added. “Working prepaid with validity would not be barred.”
Many subscribers told KT that the decision on banning the prepaid connections is uncalled for. “They should have given us time to go for postpaid connection,” said a subscriber. Social experts here believe that the move would disempower low paying category in the state.
The BSNL, a public sector telecommunication company, currently has a customer base of over twelve lakh subscribers, Bharti Airtel, has got the highest customer base of over 19 lakh in the state, Dishnet Wireless has eleven lakh subscribers in the state and the new entrant in the state, Vodafone Essar has a customer base of over a lakh. There are over 38 lakh prepaid mobile phone subscribers in the state.
The decision would have an impact on over all market size of the mobile service providers, is what authorized distributors believe. "Most of the customers come to us for pre paid connections but now we would not be unable to provide them one," a local dealer said who wished not to be named.
The decision, would hamper the growth of the mobile subscriber in remote rural areas, Imran, a prepaid subscriber said.
The ministry of home affairs has decided that no prepaid mobile connections would be issued and existing prepaid SIM cards would not be renewed in J&K after Nov 1, 2009, an official said. The ministry has asked the Department of Telecommunications to take appropriate action to implement the decision.
The decision is not going to impact the over all profitability of the telecom operators functional here but the subscriber base is surely going to get affect by the move, an official of a telecom operator said. “In particular the poorer people who can’t pay regular sums as is the case with the postpaid connection would be worst hits by the decision,” Nisar Ahmad Wani, telecom expert said.
Prepaid connections expelled in JK
‘Move to disempower lower paying category’
BILAL HUSSAIN
SRINAGAR, Oct 30 [2009]: With the union home ministry P Chidambaram on Friday decided to ban prepaid connection in Kashmir due to security reasons, the move is expected to hit most to economically weaker sections of Jammu and Kashmir experts here believe.
The ministry of home affairs has decided that no prepaid mobile connections would be issued and existing prepaid SIM cards would not be renewed in J&K after Nov 1, 2009, an official said. The ministry has asked the Department of Telecommunications to take appropriate action to implement the decision.
The decision is not going to impact the over all profitability of the telecom operators functional here but the subscriber base is surely going to get affect by the move, an official of a telecom operator said. “In particular the poorer people who can’t pay regular sums as is the case with the postpaid connection would be worst hits by the decision,” Nisar Ahmad Wani, telecom expert said.
DGM administration, BSNL J&K, M G Mufti, told KT that there is no need to panic. “All one need to do is to go for recharge so as to but time to convert the same number to postpaid connection.”
According to Mufti no prepaid connection and no recharge would be available after No 1, 2009. “Since we have forms with us all we need is simple application to transfer the pre paid to post paid plan,” he added. “Working prepaid with validity would not be barred.”
Many subscribers told KT that the decision on banning the prepaid connections is uncalled for. “They should have given us time to go for postpaid connection,” said a subscriber. Social experts here believe that the move would disempower lower paying category in the state.
The BSNL, a public sector telecommunication company, currently has a customer base of over twelve lakh subscribers, Bharti Airtel, has got the highest customer base of over 19 lakh in the state, Dishnet Wireless has eleven lakh subscribers in the state and the new entrant in the state, Vodafone Essar has a customer base of over a lakh. There are over 38 lakh prepaid mobile phone subscribers in the state.
The decision would have an impact on over all market size of the mobile service providers, is what authorized distributors believe. "Most of the customers come to us for pre paid connections but now we would not be unable to provide them one," a local dealer said who wished not to be named.
A prepaid SIM subscriber, Imran Wani said, "The decision is going to affect the poorer section of the society as most of them posses prepaid SIM cards," adding, "The prepaid scheme is meant mainly for below poverty line sections."
The decision, would hamper the growth of the mobile subscriber in remote rural areas, Imran said.
“Home minister sighting security reasons for banning the prepaid connections in the valley but in the current era militants use high-tech communication gadgets so it hardly would matter for them,” a subscriber hailing from Sopore, Manzoor Ahangar said.
Another mobile subscriber said, “The existing prepaid connections should not be barred but further issuance of prepaid connections should be banned.”
According to a communication expert, Audil, the cellular growth rate of about 4 per cent is going to slow down to 2 per cent. “Most of the cellular connections in the valley are pre paid. By banning pre paid the growth rate of mobile connections would go down considerably,” he added.
To mention the telecom companies both public and private sector make enormous revenue of over Rs 960 crores annually in Jammu and Kashmir, according to a report.
Meanwhile, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, while condemning the decision of ban on pro-paid mobile service in the State, expressed surprise that on the one hand government has been claiming that situation has improved in the state while on the other hand residents of this state have been denied of facilities like mobile services in the name of security threats.
Mehbooba today sought intervention of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to restore mobile service in the state.
Earlier, home minister had, during his visit to the state, made a statement that the government is mulling such a move as all efforts to persuade people to switch over to postpaid connections were not succeeding.
Currently, Indian citizens of other states who have a prepaid connection are also not allowed roaming facilities while visiting J&K and the seven North Eastern states.
BILAL HUSSAIN
SRINAGAR, Oct 30 [2009]: With the union home ministry P Chidambaram on Friday decided to ban prepaid connection in Kashmir due to security reasons, the move is expected to hit most to economically weaker sections of Jammu and Kashmir experts here believe.
The ministry of home affairs has decided that no prepaid mobile connections would be issued and existing prepaid SIM cards would not be renewed in J&K after Nov 1, 2009, an official said. The ministry has asked the Department of Telecommunications to take appropriate action to implement the decision.
The decision is not going to impact the over all profitability of the telecom operators functional here but the subscriber base is surely going to get affect by the move, an official of a telecom operator said. “In particular the poorer people who can’t pay regular sums as is the case with the postpaid connection would be worst hits by the decision,” Nisar Ahmad Wani, telecom expert said.
DGM administration, BSNL J&K, M G Mufti, told KT that there is no need to panic. “All one need to do is to go for recharge so as to but time to convert the same number to postpaid connection.”
According to Mufti no prepaid connection and no recharge would be available after No 1, 2009. “Since we have forms with us all we need is simple application to transfer the pre paid to post paid plan,” he added. “Working prepaid with validity would not be barred.”
Many subscribers told KT that the decision on banning the prepaid connections is uncalled for. “They should have given us time to go for postpaid connection,” said a subscriber. Social experts here believe that the move would disempower lower paying category in the state.
The BSNL, a public sector telecommunication company, currently has a customer base of over twelve lakh subscribers, Bharti Airtel, has got the highest customer base of over 19 lakh in the state, Dishnet Wireless has eleven lakh subscribers in the state and the new entrant in the state, Vodafone Essar has a customer base of over a lakh. There are over 38 lakh prepaid mobile phone subscribers in the state.
The decision would have an impact on over all market size of the mobile service providers, is what authorized distributors believe. "Most of the customers come to us for pre paid connections but now we would not be unable to provide them one," a local dealer said who wished not to be named.
A prepaid SIM subscriber, Imran Wani said, "The decision is going to affect the poorer section of the society as most of them posses prepaid SIM cards," adding, "The prepaid scheme is meant mainly for below poverty line sections."
The decision, would hamper the growth of the mobile subscriber in remote rural areas, Imran said.
“Home minister sighting security reasons for banning the prepaid connections in the valley but in the current era militants use high-tech communication gadgets so it hardly would matter for them,” a subscriber hailing from Sopore, Manzoor Ahangar said.
Another mobile subscriber said, “The existing prepaid connections should not be barred but further issuance of prepaid connections should be banned.”
According to a communication expert, Audil, the cellular growth rate of about 4 per cent is going to slow down to 2 per cent. “Most of the cellular connections in the valley are pre paid. By banning pre paid the growth rate of mobile connections would go down considerably,” he added.
To mention the telecom companies both public and private sector make enormous revenue of over Rs 960 crores annually in Jammu and Kashmir, according to a report.
Meanwhile, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, while condemning the decision of ban on pro-paid mobile service in the State, expressed surprise that on the one hand government has been claiming that situation has improved in the state while on the other hand residents of this state have been denied of facilities like mobile services in the name of security threats.
Mehbooba today sought intervention of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to restore mobile service in the state.
Earlier, home minister had, during his visit to the state, made a statement that the government is mulling such a move as all efforts to persuade people to switch over to postpaid connections were not succeeding.
Currently, Indian citizens of other states who have a prepaid connection are also not allowed roaming facilities while visiting J&K and the seven North Eastern states.
‘Expel prepaid connection in Kashmir’
Ban to take toll on cellular growth
BILAL HUSSAIN
SRINAGAR, Oct 15 [2009]: With the recent statement of home minister P Chidambaram on banning prepaid connection in Kashmir, sales volume of telecom operators in the valley is going to slow down experts here believe.
The decision by home minister is taken in view of alleged misuse by militants and prepaid mobile users have been asked not to convert it to post paid connection.
The BSNL, a public sector telecommunication company, currently has a customer base of over eight lakh subscribers, Bharti Airtel, has got the highest customer base of over 18 lakh in the state, Dishnet Wireless has eleven lakh subscribers in the state and the new entrant in the state, Vodafone Essar has a customer base of over a lakh.
Exact figure up till August 2009 for the BSNL was 878842, for Bharti Airtel it was 1885695, Dishnet Wireless 1110163 and for Vodafone Essar 164717. Total number for all cellular connections in J&K till August this fiscal was 4039417. And same figure for the month of July 2009 was 3892626, which shows a growth of 3.77 per cent in a month.
According to a communication expert, Audil, the cellular growth rate of about 4 per cent is going to slow down to 2 per cent. “Most of the cellular connections in the valley are pre paid. By banning pre paid the growth rate of mobile connections would go down considerably,” he added.
The decision is not going to impact the over all profitability of the telecom operators functional here but the subscriber base is surely going to get affect by the move, an official of a telecom operator said.
To mention the telecom companies both public and private sector make enormous revenue of over Rs 960 crores annually in Jammu and Kashmir, according to a report.
The decision would have an impact on over all market size of the mobile service providers, is what authorized distributors believe. "Most of the customers come to us for pre paid connections but now we would not be unable to provide them one," a local dealer said who wished not to be named.
A prepaid SIM subscriber, Imran Wani said, "The decision is going to affect the poorer section of the society as most of them posses prepaid SIM cards," adding, "The prepaid scheme is meant mainly for below poverty line sections."
The statement, would hamper the growth of the mobile subscriber in remote rural areas, Imran said.
"Home minister sighting security reasons for banning the prepaid connections in the valley but in the current era militants use high-tech communication gadgets so it hardly would matter for them," a subscriber hailing from Sopore, Manzoor Ahangar said.
Another mobile subscriber said, "The existing prepaid connections should not be barred but further issuance of prepaid connections should be banned."
Earlier the government has asked people to switch over to post-paid connections. “I urge everyone to switch over to post-paid mobile connections. We may have to ban the use of pre-paid connection for a while in Kashmir if people do not switch over to post-paid,” home minister said.
BILAL HUSSAIN
SRINAGAR, Oct 15 [2009]: With the recent statement of home minister P Chidambaram on banning prepaid connection in Kashmir, sales volume of telecom operators in the valley is going to slow down experts here believe.
The decision by home minister is taken in view of alleged misuse by militants and prepaid mobile users have been asked not to convert it to post paid connection.
The BSNL, a public sector telecommunication company, currently has a customer base of over eight lakh subscribers, Bharti Airtel, has got the highest customer base of over 18 lakh in the state, Dishnet Wireless has eleven lakh subscribers in the state and the new entrant in the state, Vodafone Essar has a customer base of over a lakh.
Exact figure up till August 2009 for the BSNL was 878842, for Bharti Airtel it was 1885695, Dishnet Wireless 1110163 and for Vodafone Essar 164717. Total number for all cellular connections in J&K till August this fiscal was 4039417. And same figure for the month of July 2009 was 3892626, which shows a growth of 3.77 per cent in a month.
According to a communication expert, Audil, the cellular growth rate of about 4 per cent is going to slow down to 2 per cent. “Most of the cellular connections in the valley are pre paid. By banning pre paid the growth rate of mobile connections would go down considerably,” he added.
The decision is not going to impact the over all profitability of the telecom operators functional here but the subscriber base is surely going to get affect by the move, an official of a telecom operator said.
To mention the telecom companies both public and private sector make enormous revenue of over Rs 960 crores annually in Jammu and Kashmir, according to a report.
The decision would have an impact on over all market size of the mobile service providers, is what authorized distributors believe. "Most of the customers come to us for pre paid connections but now we would not be unable to provide them one," a local dealer said who wished not to be named.
A prepaid SIM subscriber, Imran Wani said, "The decision is going to affect the poorer section of the society as most of them posses prepaid SIM cards," adding, "The prepaid scheme is meant mainly for below poverty line sections."
The statement, would hamper the growth of the mobile subscriber in remote rural areas, Imran said.
"Home minister sighting security reasons for banning the prepaid connections in the valley but in the current era militants use high-tech communication gadgets so it hardly would matter for them," a subscriber hailing from Sopore, Manzoor Ahangar said.
Another mobile subscriber said, "The existing prepaid connections should not be barred but further issuance of prepaid connections should be banned."
Earlier the government has asked people to switch over to post-paid connections. “I urge everyone to switch over to post-paid mobile connections. We may have to ban the use of pre-paid connection for a while in Kashmir if people do not switch over to post-paid,” home minister said.
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