Telecom Lead Asia: WiMAX technology has achieved a
penetration rate of 50 percent of all broadband connections in urban centers in
Pakistan.
Pakistan has a huge untapped market with only 7 percent
of households having subscribed to broadband internet. The fixed market space
is virtually untapped and future potential for growth is immense for broadband
operators.
Pakistan has 4 WiMAX operators, namely Wateen, Qubee,
Mobilink Infinity and Wi-Tribe who account for around 29 percent of the
broadband market share. Consumers in the country are showing their preference
for wireless broadband, which offers a lucrative untapped broadband market.
Recently, the WiMAX Forum hosted the South Asia
Conference 2012 in Islamabad, Pakistan. The forum conducted the conference
under the patronage of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, and co-organized
by Wateen Telecom.
The conference was aimed at creating awareness about how
WiMAX is a cost-efficient, sustainable and easily scalable solution for
broadband distribution.
WiMAX can help improve the country’s economy by helping
industries such as electricity, aviation, oil & gas, agriculture,
healthcare amongst others in becoming more efficient, transparent and vertical
through its various applications.
WiMAX can help resolve Pakistan’s electricity crisis
through smart grid applications, through efficient and secure electricity
distribution.
This success of the technology is unparalleled anywhere else in the world. I
am delighted to come to Pakistan and look forward to returning to continue
supporting the success of WiMAX operators in the country,” said Declan Byrne,
president of the WiMAX Forum.
The conference included speakers from Airspan, Fanoos Telecom, Gemtek
Technology and Banglalion among others who discussed various go-to-market
strategies, planning considerations and applications for WiMAX operators.
Alepo, a provider of WiMAX solutions shared how broadband and mobile networks
can collaborate for better provisioning of data services for consumers.
Mohammed Yaseen, chairman, PTA, shared his vision for the country’s broadband
policy in enabling the country’s economic and social needs, spoke to the
delegates present at the conference.
Wateen Telecom is focused on proliferating broadband
internet in Pakistan and we are firmly committed to the idea that WiMAX can
change every aspect of life in Pakistan for the better. Being one of the
pioneers for the technology in the world, Wateen believes WiMAX is the solution
of choice for emerging countries and can leapfrog Pakistan to progress,” said
Naeem Zamindar, CEO Wateen Telecom.
