Comments for Parvez Iftikhar

Comment on My first visit to Nigeria by The secret life of USPF - Royal Heads

The secret life of USPF - Royal Heads — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 02:03:21 +0000

[…] Parvez Iftikhar, an ITU ICT consultant noted that sometimes, universal services fail because it is a low priority for political leadership. This may not be the case with USPF as 40 percent of NCC’s annual operation levy makes a part of their funding. It is also one of the largest funds, which has allegedly collected millions of Dollars. […]

Comment on My first visit to Nigeria by The secret life of USPF - Techpoint.ng - MADEBYNIGERIA | MADEBYNIGERIA

The secret life of USPF - Techpoint.ng - MADEBYNIGERIA | MADEBYNIGERIA — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 15:05:51 +0000

Comment on Childhood and Universal Service by Nauman Afzal

Nauman Afzal — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 10:00:47 +0000

A beautiful piece of history preserved for all of us. Ham operators can still do wonders specially in remote areas in case of natural calamities. Do you think it should b done here too? Because there’s a great possibility of existing telecom infrastructure going down in such instances. I have traveled a lot in AJK and Northern areas and I can see a lot of utility there. Thanks

Comment on Spectrum Auctions – Merely for Making Money? by Nauman Afzal

Nauman Afzal — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 11:08:43 +0000

Very informative article. I believe the thinking on the Government side is that Telcos are Golden Goose and making loads of money, so its only logical to milk them. Somehow, what’s lost is that there’s a huge population that’s pretty much in need of cheaper ICTs. Speaking specifically of Pakistan, the average user who is below the tax net is also taxed being a pre-paid user, does it make sense? I’m not sure how but this could be changed for the undeserved at least. Thanks

Comment on Spectrum Auctions – Merely for Making Money? by Parvez Iftikhar

Parvez Iftikhar — Tue, 31 May 2016 07:10:24 +0000

You are quite right in saying that usually regulators do want to release more spectrum at relatively low prices, but Finance Ministers take the short term approach. That is where my message is directed at. ICTs are getting lot more important for the citizens, businesses, and indeed the governments, therefore ICTs should not be (mis)used merely to raise money to meet short-term objectives. I too have sympathies with those who have to make these decisions, they do have tough jobs. But then who doesn’t! Eagerly looking forward to your book…

Comment on Spectrum Auctions – Merely for Making Money? by Parvez Iftikhar

Parvez Iftikhar — Tue, 31 May 2016 07:01:08 +0000

You are right Gary, but more cell-sites means not just more capex, but also more Opex. In other words, higher investments. So it would not be much different than paying for more costly spectrum. The whole issue is about lowering costs, particularly in low-return developing countries! Yes, I agree that one looks optimistically at the prospects of spectrum getting cheaper due to access to more millimeter wave spectrum in the future.

Comment on Spectrum Auctions – Merely for Making Money? by Parvez Iftikhar

Parvez Iftikhar — Tue, 31 May 2016 06:54:15 +0000

Thanks Abdullahi. From the figures I have seen, the situation of reserved prices appears to be lot better in Nigeria! I believe in Nigeria there were also other reasons at play. That’s why I asked that question.

Comment on Spectrum Auctions – Merely for Making Money? by Parvez Iftikhar

Parvez Iftikhar — Tue, 31 May 2016 06:51:38 +0000

Thanks Ahsan. But I dont think all the telcos have not utilized the 3G 4G spectrum in Pakistan. Those telcos who bought only 5 MHz in the previous spectrum auction, now need more. It is very apparent. Yes, I agree that with lower handset prices the situation would have been brighter!

Comment on Spectrum Auctions – Merely for Making Money? by TIm

TIm — Thu, 26 May 2016 08:44:29 +0000

Thanks Parvez for raising these issues! I always like what Steve writes, and am inclined to agree with him on this. I do think we need to be creative with the use of spectrum, and it is very salient to note that much existing spectrum in Pakistan (as elsewhere in the world) is unused. I do not know the situation in Pakistan very well, but one other interesting point that I know from other countries is that there is often a real tension between the ICT/Telecoms parts of government and other, what some might call more senior, parts of government such as the Finance and Economic Ministries. In some cases, regulators really do want to release as much spectrum at relatively low prices as they can so as to boost the economy and also ensure that as many people as possible can have access, but Finance Ministers keen to balance the books tend to take a more short term approach and want as much money as possible from auctions! Am going to be writing a lot about this in my book, but need to finish the chapter I am currently writing first! I would also just add, as I know you know from your own experience, that being in government and making these decisions is very tough. I have much sympathy for my friends who are Ministers and Regulators across the Commonwealth – they have a tough job, and it is much easier to criticise than it is actually to deliver! Thanks again for contributing this thoughtful piece.

Comment on Spectrum Auctions – Merely for Making Money? by Gary Kim

Gary Kim — Tue, 24 May 2016 21:45:51 +0000

Spectrum prices might be headed lower, in many markets, as mobile operators balk at high prices, can make better use of small cell architectures and offload traffic to Wi-Fi. In some markets, ISPs will be getting access to lots of millimeter wave spectrum and also shared spectrum. More supply will lead to lower prices for licensed spectrum.