KARACHI, June 27: The Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan said that the measures taken by the Pakistan Telecom Authority were helpful but not entirely to our satisfaction, and vowed to continue striving for the rights of consumers.

“'Ever since the announcement of the Broadband Policy by the government, the ISPAK started its efforts to ensure the environment conducive to realize the goal set in the policy,” it said.

The stumbling block for a way forward was always the PTCL, which created numerous hurdles in the way of the progress of the broadband in the country, it added.In the first quarter of 2006, the ISPAK approached the regulatory authority armed with worldwide data and benchmarks. As a result of presentation for several hours, the authority, keeping with their traditional approach, issued an elaborate consultation paper on April 27, inviting all to give their fair comments on the points raised in the paper.

ISPAK pursued the case very seriously pointing out the points where the factual position had been altered either through changing circumstances in the telecom market or where the facts were not clearly elaborated.

The PTA invited all stakeholders again for a full house meeting on June 6 giving all to state their individual positions. The PTA showed a great flexibility to allow the PTCL yet another chance by postponing the decision and calling another meeting of all on June 23 to announce the final determination.—PPI