16 Feb 2009 | 826

Best Mobile Phone Plans and Handsets

By KM Rizvi

I would like to know what are the best mobile phone plans currently in operation in Pakistan? I tried some research on the net but it all gets very confusing because here in North America the system is a bit different. You have to get a handset with the plan. Also, I may also consider buying a mobile phone as I understand cellphones are getting very inexpensive to buy in Pakistan and you can buy an unlocked one, independent of any plan.

Your advice appreciated.

Comments

02 Mar 2009 | 842

Reply by: Yaawar Posts: 1

Pakistani mobile market has become very saturated, I can see it can be a tough time figuring out but the usual suspects are mobilink, ufone, telenor, warid, zong etc.

you can start with a few resources on the web, but it really depends on what kind of plans or service you require. to be honest, the mobile phone industry here is competing fiercely so prices are down, but sadly so is quality. some good links for you to try are http://www.wiredpakistan.com/forums/index.php for advice from people or if your shopping for new handsets try http://www.mobilezone.com.pk/ but once your here go to abdullah haroon road or schon circle area in clifton and do some research too

since your going to buy new plans phones etc, my advice is to just start experimenting in the first week with operators and plans and try developing a learning curve, if you have time because plans are quite cheap and if you have some money to spare, invest in a good gsm handset first and then begin fiddling with different plans until you settle for one

good luck! Smile

10 Mar 2009 | 863

Reply by: SG Posts: 1

To give you a quick idea the big operators are ranked like this

1. Mobilink, Technology: GSM-900/1800
2. ufone, Techonology: GSM-900/1800
3. Warid, Technology: GSM-900/1800
4. Telenor, Techonology: GSM-900/1800
5. Paktel (Zong), Techonology: GSM-900/1800 TDMA
6. Instaphone, Techonology: DAMPS/TDMA

The latest info they have on ptcl.gov.pk about rates and plans for post paid Pakistani mobile phone packages are, and you could find more there, but here it is for post paid packages

Post-paid plans and Packages in Pakistan in Pak rupees	Mobilink	Ufone	Zong	Instaphone	Telenor
Line Rent	0	0	0	199	250
21% GST	0	0	0	42	52.50
Total	0	0	0	241	302.50
Free Minutes (on-net & off-net)	0	0	0	0	250
Free SMS	10	0	0	0	0

	Mobilink	Ufone	Zong	Instaphone	Telenor
Local & Long Distance Calls to Same Network (Rs. per min.)	Peak & Off-peak	Peak Off-peak	Peak & Off-peak	Peak Off-peak	Peak Off-peak
Airtime	2.00	1.80 1.80	1.20	Free Free	1.50 1.50
21% GST	0.42	0.38 0.38	0.25		0.32 0.32
Total	2.42	2.18 2.18	1.42	Free Free	1.82 1.82

	Mobilink	Ufone	Zong	Instaphone	Telenor
Local & Long Distance Calls to Other Cellular Network (Rs. Per min.)	Peak & Off-peak	Peak Off-peak	Peak & Off-peak	Peak Off-peak	Peak Off-peak
Airtime	2.00	1.98 1.98	1.80	1.80 1.80	2.50 2.50
Interconnect	1.25	0.00 0.00	0.00	0.00 0.00	0.00 0.00
21% GST	0.68	0.42 0.42	0.38	0.38 0.38	0.53 0.53
Total	3.93	2.40 2.40	2.18	2.18 2.18	3.03 3.03

	Mobilink	Ufone	Zong	Instaphone	Telenor
Local & Long Distance Calls to Fixed-line Network (Rs. per min.)	Peak & Off-peak	Peak Off-peak	Peak & Off-peak	Peak Off-peak	Peak Off-peak
Airtime	2.00	2.00 2.00	1.80	1.50 1.50	2.50 2.50
Interconnect	0.52	0.00 0.00	0.00	0.00 0.00	0.00 0.00
21% GST	0.53	0.42 0.42	0.38	` 0.32	0.53 0.53
Total	3.05	2.42 2.42	2.18	1.82 1.82	3.03 3.03

	Mobilink	Ufone	Zong	Instaphone	Telenor
International Calls (Rs. per min.)	Peak & Off-peak	Peak Off-peak	Peak & Off-peak	Peak Off-peak	Peak Off-peak
Airtime	2.36 & 20.00	1.99 16.99	2.00 & 30.00^	1.95 & 18.00	2.25 & 17.00, 2.25 & 17.00
Access Charge	0.00	0.00 0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00, 0.00
Int’l Long Dis.	0.00	0.00 0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00, 0.00
21% GST	0.50 & 4.20	0.42 3.57	0.42 & 6.30	0.41 & 3.78	0.47 & 3.57, 0.47 & 3.57
Total	2.86 & 24.20	2.41 20.56	2.42 & 36.30	2.36 & 21.78	2.72 & 20.57, 2.72 & 20.57

	Mobilink	Ufone	Zong	Instaphone	Telenor
SMS	Peak & Off-peak	Peak Off-peak	Peak & Off-peak	Peak Off-peak	Peak Off-peak
On-net	1.00	0.50	1.00	Free	0.50
21% GST	0.21	0.11	0.21		0.11
Total	1.21	0.61	1.21		0.61
Off-net	1.00	1.00	1.00	0.50	1.00
21% GST	0.21	0.21	0.21	0.08	0.21
Total	1.21	1.21	1.21	0.58	1.21
International SMS	5.00	1.50	5.00		5.00
21% GST	1.05	0.32	1.05		1.05
Total	6.05	1.82	6.05		6.05

hope this helps.

31 Mar 2009 | 886

Reply by: anam

Telenor, which helps you to get more out of mobile communication through its professional mobile solutions on Pakistan’s largest and fastest data network supported by Edge services. These Blackberry solutions are specially-tailored to provide you a winning edge over the accomplishments in your life and the achievements yet to come your way. With Blackberry services from Telenor, you can enjoy a breakthrough push-based email solution, which helps you to access your personal or official information while roaming locally and globally at specified locations. Moreover, it offers you the privileged service of Instant Messenger, email access with attachment facility and amazing surfing experience through Telenor’s exclusive Edge services. It’s time to get on board with Blackberry powered by Telenor and stay connected with the people, fun and facts that matter to you.

BIS: BlackBerry Internet Service:

10 POP3 E-mail Accounts (Gmail, Hotmail, AOL, etc) ONLY
Zero Activation Fee
Rs. 1,000 + tax (monthly recurring fee)
Unlimited Free GPRS (no cap)
Additional Security Deposit for BlS Rs. 2,500

One way is to get a new postpaid connection, with what you will be offered to opt for Blackberry Services, or otherwise, upgrade prepaid package to postpaid and go with Telenor’s Blackberry.

Telenor Blackberry Handsets’ Prices

Blackberry Javelin 8900: PKR 40,000
Blackberry Bold: PKR 45,000
Blackberry Pearl 8120: PKR 25,000
Blackberry Curve 8320: PKR 29,000

kindly let me know your comments on this guys ......... thanks.