We had posted below image scan few days ago, in which Ufone packages are being compared with Mobilin. These photo copies are reportedly distributed on all franchises and retailor throughout north Pakistan.

Ufone is airing Unlimited SMS TVC on TV channels, that claims that Ufone prepaid customers can send unlimited SMS a day at Rs. 2.99 (Rs. 2.99 + Rs. 0.63 = Rs. 3.62) per day

When I called Ufone’s help line, Ms. Aaliya from Ufone’s call center said that prepaid customers can send as many as 500 SMS a day. On inquiring that why Ufone’s TVC is claiming unlimited SMS? She responded that “500 SMS a day can be considered as unlimited messages..!”

In 90s, when PTV was the only option to watch on TV, we used to bear clutter of advertisements during dramas and cricket matches. AD breaks happened to be long enough to prolong 35 minutes episode to stretch over 90 minutes’ duration.

Reportedly, Mobilink had laid-off its 200 employees, mainly from administration and security departments, throughout the country. These contract based employees were given their termination letters with immediate effect.

Inside source at Mobilink revealed us that Mobilink Management had further plans to lay-off its employees from other departments as well; however the idea has been put on hold due to a case filed by terminated employees against Mobilink - in which CEO Mobilink, Head HR and Chairman PTA were held respondents in the court.

Orascom has finally announced its intention to sell its internet arm, LINKdotNet to Mobinil - an Egyptian Company for Mobile Services. The offer was approved by the ECMS Board of Directors on February 20, 2009.

This sellout of Link Dot Net will include internet operations in all countries including Pakistan, where Link Dot Net is operating.

Now days, the most common word in the market is recession and people are curious about recession’s relation with telecom industry’s growth, which is still unaffected, when compared to other industries. Let us review the market dynamics and to conclude recession’s impact on telecom growth.

• Reduction in purchasing power
• Need and demand shift
• Lay-offs