Ufone readies for 3G whilst it waits for licence

Ufone, the wireless arm of Pakistan Telecommunications Company Ltd (PTCL), has installed a fibre-optic backhaul solution for its base transceiver stations (BTS) in ten major cities in readiness for a future 3G network deployment, The News Tribe reports. Pakistan’s cellcos have been waiting to launch 3G services since the government first drafted plans to launch a tender for 3G spectrum in 2005, notes TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database. Most recently, plans for a spectrum auction were scrapped in early 2012 when it emerged that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) had bypassed the approved selection process for a consultant for the auction, instead shortlisting four candidates itself. The deviation provoked concerns of foul-play and the auction process was once again put on hold.