SCO is now Allowed for Trail Run of 3G/4G Services in Gilgit-Baltistan

Special Communications Organization is now allowed to operate 3G, 4G services in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) but on trail basis. This decision was made by Court and stayed the telecom regulatory body’s decision to allow other private operators to launch the service in GB. Justice Haq Nawaz and Justice Muhammad Umar admitted a petition filed by the SCO.

The petition challenged the Pakistan Telecommunication Autho­rity’s (PTA) decision of issuing licences to cellular networks for launching 3G and 4G spectrum in the mountainous region. It was filed on April 18 under Article 71 of the GB Empowerment and Self-Governance Order 2009.

 SCO is Allowed to Operate of 3G, 4G Services in Gilgit-Baltistan on Trail Basis

Adnan Hussain counsel of petitioner made the Gilgit-Baltistan Council, PTA, Frequency Allocation Board and the GB government as respondents.

The operation of the letter issued by the PTA on Feb 23, was suspended by court when it issued ad-interim injunction and sought comments from the respondents within a month. The order said that bench will initiate the hearing of case after receiving the comments.

The petition said that the licenses issued to other private operators for launching 3G and 4G service was unlawful authority. 3G and 4G spectrum auction in GB was an attempt by the PTA to prevent the ongoing services on a trial basis. The court ordered the parties to maintain the quality till the final disposal of the petition. Because there were complaints from the users about the SCO’s poor quality and speed of mobile service in the region.

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