ISLAMABAD, Oct 10: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Friday directed all Long Distance and International (LDI) operators to implement the PTA-approved settlement rates for international calls.

The authority warned to issue show cause notices to the LDI operators involved in illegal call termination.

These decisions were taken at the PTA Headquarters in a meeting to review the Approved Settlement Rates (ASR) and Access Promotion Contribution (APC).

The meeting was chaired by PTA Chairman Dr Mohammed Yaseen and attended by Member Finance Syed Nasrul Karim Ghaznavi and concerned PTA officials and all Long Distance and International operators.

Presently, the ASR are 10 US cents per minute for international calls coming into Pakistan. However, the PTA was apprised by LDI operators that some operators were bringing traffic into the country at rates lower than the approved ones.

Dr Yaseen said that all operators should follow the instructions of the authority, and warned that strict action would be taken against those operators who did not follow the PTA approved rates.

He said Long Distance and International was an important segment and the PTA would facilitate its growth.

In the meeting, the authority decided to issue show cause notices within 10 days to the LDI operators if they were found involved in illegal call termination business.

It was also decided to upgrade the traffic monitoring system facility to curb grey traffic.