KARACHI, July 3: Customers of the country’s largest cellphone company, Mobilink, were greatly inconvenienced on Sunday when their mobile handsets showed that there was no network coverage.

A spokesman for Mobilink was contacted to explain why the cellphone company was unable to provide network coverage to its subscribers who were unable to make calls. He said the intelligent network of the cellphone company was operating at the optimum level. He added that the problem of no network coverage could be because of external factors.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority issued a show-cause notice to Mobilink in April following a sharp rise in public complaints against the cellphone company. 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.

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 Mobilink spokesman said the PTA had not yet issued a decision on the issue.