Chairman, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Dr Mohammed Yaseen has said that to achieve cost efficiency in the operations, telecom operators need to enhance their collaboration by sharing infrastructure, they can save costs and yet maintain quality. He said this while addressing at Nokia Siemens Networks Industry Seminar here on Thursday.

The Chairman said that PTA took initiative to pursue mobile operators for sharing of infrastructure to reduce BTS towers and other sites so that costs of business can be brought down. He emphasised on the importance of broadband proliferation to achieve goal of setting up 'Information Society. He said that massive awareness campaign is needed to be launched to improve broadband growth besides developing contents in local languages and applications.

He said PTA has made co-ordinated efforts to facilitate broadband growth by forming a "Broadband Stakeholders Group" and other measures. He said that we are trying to develop contents for different market segments like agriculture. Similarly, PTA was negotiating with State Bank to introduce Mobile Banking Services.

He said that three operators are in the process of launching mobile broadband. Two operators have launched EVDO services. This all will help in provisioning of better information services to consumers on one hand and increased revenues for the industry on the other.

Dr Mohammed Yaseen said that in 2008 there was a slight slow down in telecom industry but in quarters of 2009 the industry has again started getting momentum. Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) in mobile sector was recorded at 2.5 $to 3 $per user, which is a positive sign. Chairman said that PTA has recommended tax reduction on telecom products to FBR and it was hoping a positive response on it in upcoming budget.

On this occasion Saad Waraich, Pakistan and Afghanistan Country Director for Nokia Siemens networks, said: "Service Providers need network efficiency to better face the current market challenges. To improve operational efficiency, we focus on five approaches, analyse the customer situation, optimise business process, modernise existing assets, expand fast and flexibly, and maximise the growth opportunity." Waraich added".