Worldcall fined Rs 10m, facing suspension of license as well
Aftab Ahmed
Islamabad: The PTA has imposed a fine of Rs 10 million on World Call. The operator–an LDI–involved covertly indulging in a change of substantial ownership interest and control. All this is without the regulator’s approval.
The company is facing a substantial change of shareholding without prior written intimation to the Authority. It also failed to fulfill its legal obligations to convince the Authority in a written reply. The operator also failed in the personal hearing of the Show Cause Notice. Hence, the Licensee was fined.
The PTA further directed the Licensee to deposit the fine within a period of seven working days. If WorldCall failed to comply with the Authority’s order, the licensee should stand suspended automatically until the Company paid a fine.
The Licensee has not denied a change of substantial ownership interest/ control of the company. The Licensee did not notify the Authority in the manner required under Rule 11(5) of the Rules.
“The transaction executed without the prior written approval of the Authority as required under clause 12.4 of the License, the authority observed,” it adds.
READ PTA actions against illegal GSM signal boosters.
The Licensee has made every possible effort to avoid the procedure. The license granted to the Licensee has expired in 2024. But huge amounts of Rs 9.06 billion remain payable by the Licensee, the order read.
To avoid any adverse legal consequences against the Company’s shareholders, directors, and management, said the order—the Licensee required to fulfill its legal obligations concerning carrying out the telecom business.
It is essential to refer to the conduct of the Licensee by putting on record the consistent failure of the Licensee to pay outstanding dues on account of Annual Regulatory Dues (ARDs), Annual Radio Frequency Spectrum Fee (ARFSF), Annual Numbering Charges, Initial Spectrum Fee (ISF), Microwave BTS Charges and APC for USF Contribution.
WorldCall launched its business in June 1996 with payphone operations. Amid fundamental shifts in technology and industry, innovation and dedication led us to grow in diversified businesses with a range of services designed to serve the local market’s needs.
It provides Cable Broadband to Wireless Broadband, from Cable TV to Video on Demand, from LDI Services and Fiber Optic Network to Wireless Local Loop Telephony. WTL has crossed several milestones.
The WTL offers various services under three major service categories, i.e., Data, Entertainment & Voice.
