The Pakistani Spectator

My article is in respect of the three new post paid packages announced namely, standard, Value and Premium. Earlier I had the view that these packages are developed and announced after much thought, research and brain storming but the vfone post paid packages deny my understanding. In the ensuing paragraphs I will highlight the short comings of the packages of V-fone.

Now lets compare the Standard Package of V-fone Post Paid with V-Fone Family:

Now lets compare the Standard Package of V-fone Post Paid with add-ons that are offered in Value Package free of cost:

· Though one can get the wi-fi broadband connection of 256 Kbps for the payment of Rs. 450 per month irrespective of usage of number of hours.

Now lets compare the Value Package of V-fone Post Paid with Premium Post paid package:

* There are only 720 hours in a standard month (24 hours x 30 days). Do not know how PTCL arrived at the figure of 1,000 hours. Valued the additional 220 hours as Rs. 1/- per hour (Rs. 499 for 500 hours basis)

500 hours is virtually unlimited account as it gives the internet access of non stop 21 days or is giving daily internet access of around 16+ hours daily.

These packages can be viewed at http://www.ptcl.com.pk/contentp.php?NID=245

I am unable to figure out what real benefit all these packages are offering. In Premium Package a dialup unlimited internet is bundled to customer @ Rs. 720 where as in almost the same price a customer is able to get the Broadband of another brand for Rs. 700 only for the speed of 512 Kbps (Offered by Mobilink Infinity).

From the above analysis we may conclude that :

1. Prepaid Family package is better than Post paid standard.

2. In post paid value after committing to spend Rs. 999 a month, you get the rate of Rs. 2 per minute of calling at mobile which is available to you by just spending Rs. 5/- per day in Prepaid Family Package.

3. In Post Paid Standard you will get all the services offered in Post Paid Value at the security deposit of Rs. 2,000 as against Rs. 2500 security in Post Paid value package.

4. You will not get any additional benefit of committing to pay Rs. 2,999 by subscribing to Past paid Premium. Consumer is just getting everything at the rates of either standard package or of value package. There is no further concession.

Two more interesting facts to note:

1. In PTCL’s prepaid package namely V-fone Unlimited, A consumer gets 720 hours of nation wide calling on v-fone and PTCL landline for Rs. 600 per month (Rs. 20/- per day) and gets the rate of Rs. 2/- per minute for calling on other networks, whereas, a person who is spending Rs. 2,999 a month gets the same rate of calling other networks but only get 1,000 free minutes to call own network.:)

2. After charging a fixed line rent of Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 2,000 Other mobile networks are charging following tariff for calling On Net and Off Net in comparison to PTCL:

Arif Gadit

P.S.

Copy of this article is being sent to PTA and Competition Commission of Pakistan among other media personnel for their review if the announcement of such packages is within the policy framework of PTA and within the permissible limits set by Competition Commission of Pakistan. In my opinion customers are being cheated due to the above packages and are not going to get real value for the money.