March 10, 2007	Saturday	Safar 20, 1428

KARACHI, March 9: All cellular companies have invested a minimum of $25 million to 30 million each for implementation of mobile number portability (MNP) which is planned to be launched from March 23 after various delays.

This was stated by chief officer, customer relations, Ufone, Naveed Khalid Butt, while talking to newsman after the launching of company’s new prepay brand “public demand” with lowest calling rates on Friday at a local hotel. He said this time there would be no delay in the launching of the MNP as all the players are ready for it. He said tariff rates would remain the same for the MNP.

Naveed said the launching of the prepay brand was also a part of the MNP in which other companies would be seen launching new products and packages to grab new customers. However, only those companies would be able to lure customers who would be offering good quality service and quality for the MNP.

He said the Ufone has planned to invest $550 million in the next one year for expansion of its network in various cities and areas.

Earlier, he said the new package offers 99 paisa calling charges to any network anywhere in Pakistan. The package also works on 30 seconds billing. Ufone enjoys 22 per cent market share. By the end of 2007, the company will be covering more than 1,800 cities, towns, villages and major highways in the country with additional 3,000 cell sites.