September 08, 2006	Friday	Sha'aban 14, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, Sept 7: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has lowered the international settlement rates for all Long Distance and International (LDI) operators to narrow the financial incentives available for the illegal telecom traffic coming into the country.

The revised settlement rates would be $0.075 per minute which are presently $0.10. The new rates would be effective for the next six months starting from November 1.

PTA announced the decision in a hearing held here to review the Access Promotion Contribution (APC) being paid by LDI operators on all incoming international calls.

APC is the part of International Settlement Rates. It has been reduced by 50 per cent from 5 to 2.5 cent per minute. The hearing was attended by representatives of PTCL, LDI and LL operators.

During a meeting, PTA Chairman Maj-Gen (retired) Shahzada Alam Malik said that the authority as part of its campaign against illegal call termination business, reduced the APC which would have positive impact on the telecom sector. The decision would support LDI business and benefit both inland and overseas Pakistanis in the form of further reduced call tariffs.

“The termination of illegal incoming international telecom traffic in Pakistan is seriously affecting the business of licensed LDI operators and is resulting in significant losses to the local loop (LL) operators as the illegal traffic termination does not involve payment of termination charges and APC,” he added.