KARACHI, June 1: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has found “unsatisfactory” the reply submitted by Mobilink in response to the PTA show-cause notice issued in April. According to a press statement issued by the PTA on Wednesday, Mobilink has now been directed to attend a hearing in Islamabad on June 9 at the PTA headquarters.

The cellphone company has been asked to appear with a “copy of written arguments.”

The April 5 show-cause notice of the telecoms regulator was issued following a sharp rise in public complaints against Mobilink. It was based on the fourth quality of survey conducted by the PTA. The cellphone company was given 30 days to submit a reply. Mobilink submitted the reply on May 3, says the press statement.

The show-cause notice said: “The non-serious and non-cooperative attitude of the Mobilink towards the determination and directions issued by the Authority from time to time tantamount to severe violations by the Mobilink of the existing regulatory framework and is therefore not acceptable to the Authority.”

PTA officials told Dawn that if Mobilink arguments did not stand up to close scrutiny, proceedings could be initiated against the cellphone company which might lead to the appointment of an administrator or a levy of a Rs350 million fine and termination of Mobilink’s licence under Section 23 of the Pakistan Telecommunication (Reorganization) Act 1996.

The fourth quality of survey was conducted by the PTA between Feb 7 and Feb 27 jointly with the representatives of the licensees. “The results are not only bad but far below the standards mentioned in the licence,” says the press statement.