On Internet Access and misc
// July 22nd, 2010 // 104 Comments » // Internet Research
A quick question, if I may and just for my understanding that why Pakistan
is always so vulnerable to such negative propagandas. For that matter, we
know Iran, Tunis, Saudi Arabia.all are Muslim countries and known to be
Internet black holes, and yes though Pakistan is also trying to become one
but nothing much in the press about these nations?
Not being an expert of ANY sort but just out of my personal experience, I
could write a thesis on the sorry state of internet access and how and who
is blocking further developments.
Why all these developments only for MAJOR CITIES. Is it Government’s
official policy to intrigue mass migration of population to large cities
seeking necessary basic amenities?
For that matter, my city is also listed among these 414 cities, where
Internet revolution is happening led by our very own PTCL. In papers, my
city actually has two broadband service providers but both of them truly
helpless due to one basic thing – age old copper wire infrastructure, which
PTCL never bothered to invest in. Just day before yesterday, I have been
refused a “Business DSL” by PTCL staff in Islamabad, plainly saying that we
cannot provide the service until network is renewed, which I know is not
going to happen for next 5 years as we have been hearing about it for last 3
years.
In this situation, wireless broadband seems to be an option but
unfortunately, this place is heavy on defense installations and there are
jammers here and there and will not let the signals get through in strength.
The solution PTCL officials gave me is to lay optic fibre at my own expenses
to the end-user point! Do you think it is a good idea? However, PTCL could
not provide me an estimate yet. I know, whatever it may be, I will not be
able to afford that. So all these tall claims are only good in papers or for
rhetoric in jazzy presentations. Please please please know that on the
ground situation is very different. That is why, we know that despite best
efforts, we are still struggling to increase internet user base in the
country. The city I am talking about has 3 major universities, huge defense
installations, and still vibrant industrial estate with almost 100% literacy
rate. And all this in the vicinity of maximum 10 kilometers.
I sincerely request now to please guide me that how can I get benefit of
booming internet revolution by PTCL and other service providers. I am ready
to pay Rs. 15,000 per month even for one mbps connection and if need be even
more but I need a stable connection. Wish I could afford my very own VSAT 
Using my data stick (2-3 kbps max, when am lucky) I can only download
emails, continually praying that someone have not attached a heavy file J
This situation is also depriving me from the online courses I am taking.
By the way, who is blocking 3G or 4G in Pakistan? Is it Telcos or PTA
itself? Whosoever but unfortunately, citizens are not at the heart of this
decision making process. If you go see on the ground, this situation is not
only depriving citizens from development opportunities but also national
exchequer from billions of rupees of regular income.
Who to blame? Or just leave ourselves at the mercy of merciless decision
makers?
Thanks and best wishes
