Tag: pta approval

  • Indian-made iPhone 15 units expected to reach Pakistan soon

    Indian-made iPhone 15 units expected to reach Pakistan soon

    Apple is expected to release iPhone 15 units manufactured in India for sale in India and other countries. This means that we might also see these made in India iPhones in Pakistan, as Pakistani mobile sellers import iPhones from various countries like China, Japan, Hong Kong, and the US. While these Indian-made iPhones may not arrive in Pakistan directly from India, they are likely to become available as they enter international markets.

    Unfortunately, there are no official Apple stores in Pakistan, and there are limited authorised Apple product sellers. It remains uncertain how many iPhones made in India will be available in Pakistan in the future, but as Indian iPhone production increases, we can expect to see more of them.

    Although the majority of iPhone 15 units will still come from China, Apple’s efforts to scale production in India are making progress, reducing its reliance on Chinese manufacturing. Apple began assembling previous iPhone generations in India in 2017 and has been producing flagship iPhones there since 2020. The company aims to increase its production in India from 7 per cent to 25 per cent by 2025. However, there may still be some delays due to logistical challenges.

    Closing the production gap between China and India is crucial for Apple, as it provides a reliable manufacturing alternative and helps the company comply with India’s Make in India law to avoid steep tariffs. This move also aligns with Apple’s strategy to navigate geopolitical issues and local labour disputes.

    Given recent Chinese nationalism, which encourages the use of domestic brands like Huawei, this shift in production location is timely. Despite their high cost and the requirement for PTA approval in Pakistan, Apple iPhones remain popular among those who can afford them.

  • Will iPhone 15 Pro Max in Pakistan surpass the price of a Hyundai SUV in India?

    Will iPhone 15 Pro Max in Pakistan surpass the price of a Hyundai SUV in India?

    The iPhone 15 Pro Max with 256 GB of storage is initially priced at $1,100 in the United States, which, at the current exchange rate of Rs295, translates to approximately Rs325,000 in Pakistani rupee (PKR).

    However, it’s anticipated that the cost will significantly rise in Pakistan due to additional expenses like Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) approval and retailer margins.

    Given the precedent set by the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which currently retails for Rs540,000 in Pakistan, we expect the starting price of the iPhone 15 Pro Max to be around Rs555,000 or possibly even higher once local mobile shop owners import and sell them.

    Apple iPhones generally have higher price tags in Pakistan due to taxes and PTA approval fees, making it challenging to pinpoint the exact cost.

    Nonetheless, it’s reasonable to assume it will exceed Rs500,000, considering that the iPhone 14 Pro Max is already priced above this threshold in Pakistan.

    Additionally, a Pakistani website called Phonebolee suggests an expected price of PKR 643,999 for the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max.

    In terms of comparisons to India, a report by DNA India highlights the astonishing prices of iPhones in Pakistan. It notes that the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max, priced over Rs7.3 lakh in Pakistan, surpasses the cost of a Hyundai Exter 5-seater SUV, which is priced at INR 5.99 lakh in India.

    However, it’s important to be cautious about such comparisons, as they might not accurately reflect the actual market dynamics.

    Keep in mind that the exact price of the iPhone 15 Pro Max in Pakistan can vary among different retailers.

    Additionally, the exchange rate between the Indian rupee and the Pakistani rupee is approximately 1 INR to PKR 3.56. So, when comparing the INR 600,000 price of an SUV, it equates to approximately Rs2,136,800, or Rs2.1 million in Pakistani rupees, which is significantly higher than the expected price of the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max.

  • PTA introduces 120-day tax-free mobile registration for overseas Pakistanis

    PTA introduces 120-day tax-free mobile registration for overseas Pakistanis

    Prime Minister (PM) Shahbaz Sharif inaugurated the Online Temporary Mobile Phone Registration System on Tuesday, aimed at facilitating overseas Pakistanis and foreign nationals during their visits to the country.

    Under this system, individuals will be able to register and utilise their personal mobile phones for a duration of up to 120 days from the date of their arrival, exempt from any duties and taxes. This facility is available to overseas Pakistanis, including students and employees, as well as foreign nationals visiting Pakistan for tourism or business purposes.

    During the inaugural ceremony in Islamabad, PM Shehbaz acknowledged the significant progress made by Pakistani youth in the field of information technology and emphasised the need to seize the abundant opportunities in this sector. He further stated that the current government has allocated ample funds in the budget to support various youth-oriented programmes.

     To attract foreign investment and revive the economy, a Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) has been established, with the IT Ministry playing a pivotal role in achieving the set objectives.

    Additionally, the PM highlighted the importance of promoting IT parks in the country to boost IT exports. He mentioned the distribution of free laptops among deserving students based on merit and assured that a non-financial package will be announced soon to further enhance facilitation for overseas Pakistanis.

    In December 2018, the government introduced the ‘Mobile Phone Tax Policy,’ allowing overseas Pakistanis to bring one phone without paying customs duty, subject to registration upon arrival at the airport. Failure to register resulted in the phone being non-operational. Initially, the registered phone could be used with one SIM for 60 days, after which it required payment of due taxes to regularise its usage.

    In 2022, authorities upgraded and introduced new features in the Identification Registration and Blocking System, enabling overseas Pakistanis to use their imported mobile phones for a period of 120 days.

    The system facilitated data exchange among the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). It was also integrated with the FIA’s record of passengers’ entry and exit.

  • Here’s how to receive calls, messages on non-PTA iPhone using any approved iPhone

    Here’s how to receive calls, messages on non-PTA iPhone using any approved iPhone

    PTA approval costs are currently inconceivable in Pakistan, especially for the newest iPhone models, and people are constantly looking for ways to use their SIM on their iPhone, which does everything except make calls.

    If you have spent a significant amount and do not have the money to pay for its approval, especially if you have purchased the most recent models that get approved for more over Rs140,000, you can buy any old affordable iPhone to use sim on your primary recently purchased iPhone.

    If you’re curious about how it could happen, here is a method. On both devices, you can do it by using the same Apple ID. Think about investing in an iPhone 6 that won’t set you back more than Rs20,000. After you activate the PTA-approved iPhone and enter your sim card, all of your calls will be routed to both iPhones.

    Interestingly, since both iPhones will be connected to/synchronized with the same Apple ID, you will be able to attend all calls that you receive on your sim on your non-PTA approved iPhone.

    Here’s what you can do if you already have an extra PTA-approved iPhone:

    • Go to Settings > Phone
    • Tap Calls on Other Devices
    • Tap Allow Calls on Other Devices switch to turn on
    • For first-time setup:
    • Add Wi-Fi Calling For Other Devices
    • Tap to enable other iCloud® devices to make and receive calls
    • From the ‘Allow Calls On’ section, tap the switches to turn to call for that device on

    When you’re connected to WiFi or utilising your PTA-approved iPhone’s hotspot, it’s a terrific method to continue using your non-PTA-approved phone because you can always take calls on both phones.

    Even yet, getting your iPhone PTA-approved is strongly advised because all of them are only short-term fixes and can be irritating.

  • Here’s how to use a SIM in a non-PTA approved phone

    Here’s how to use a SIM in a non-PTA approved phone

    Owing to import limitations and costly PTA approval fees, consumers are forced to choose non-PTA mobile phones as smartphone prices have increased dramatically in Pakistan.

    PTA approval for phones was not an idea back then, and Pakistanis could purchase any phone they wanted without any hassles. But now, it’s all different.

    A phone may use any SIM card for two months after it is imported into Pakistan, after which the PTA will disable the device. Due to store owners’ lack of concern for investing additional funds for PTA clearance and their decision to leave it up to customers whether they wish to pay the high cost of PTA approval for using a SIM, Pakistani mobile marketplaces are currently overrun with non-PTA phones.

    People use a different phone to keep their sim active because the sim on these phones stops working after the two-month period. Few individuals are aware that non-PTA phones still support SIM cards.

    Users can purchase a SIM card of a mobile network called SCOM and activate their number.

    For those who don’t know, SCO introduced the first GSM mobile services under the name SCOM in Azad Jammu Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan in 2004.

    Read more: Latest government jobs in Pakistan

    In over 450 major cities, towns, and villages in Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan, SCOM offers the area’s largest network coverage with an equal footprint in rural and urban terrain, but it may also be utilised across the entire nation.

    However, there is one disadvantage for residents of other parts of Punjab because SCOM SIM is not offered everywhere. There are many people selling SCOM connections online, so you can search OLX or visit SCOM’s official website to order a sim online.

    People purchase non-PTA phones, such as iPhones and other flagship models from Samsung, One Plus, Sony, Xiaomi, and other manufacturers, since PTA-approved phones are now quite expensive. People are forced to carry an additional phone to keep their sim active because the sim on these unapproved phones stops working after the two-month period.

    It is important to keep in mind that although these phones may appear to be less expensive at the time of purchase, adding the PTA approval charge makes them way more expensive.

  • PTA temporarily unblocks non-compliant smartphones

    PTA temporarily unblocks non-compliant smartphones

    A number of Pakistani users have regained cellular connectivity on smartphones that are not PTA compliant. This led many customers and sellers to believe that the PTA had unblocked all non-PTA-approved phones.

    Unfortunately, all of the reports claiming that the PTA has unblocked non-tax compliant phones are false as the majority of imported phones with unpaid taxes, are still blocked by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and cannot work with any cellular networks in the country.

    They can, however, continue to use Wi-Fi connections like before. Some people with unapproved phones had their phones unblocked at random in recent weeks, allowing them to reconnect to cellular networks.

    The telecommunications authority has made clear that it has unblocked an undefined number of non-approved phones solely to motivate people to pay taxes and have their phones properly unblocked.

    According to PTA spokesperson Khurram Ali Mehran, this was just a persuasive drill to get people to authenticate their phones and pay taxes, no matter how expensive they are.

    He stated that the PTA chose to unblock the phones at random and that they will all be blocked again within two months.

  • PTA records 1.73 million new 3G, 4G users in one month

    PTA records 1.73 million new 3G, 4G users in one month

    The latest stats from Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) show that the number of 3G and 4G customers in Pakistan increased by 1.73 million to 113.11 million by the end of March 2022, up from 111.38 million at the end of February 2022.

    By the end of March 2022, the number of mobile users in Pakistan had risen by 1.79 million to 193.42 million, up from 191.63 million at the end of February 2022. The cellular population climbed from 87.17 per cent in February 2022 to 87.95 per cent in March 2022.

    The entire teledensity had risen to 89.09 per cent, up from 88.31 per cent in February.

    The overall number of Jazz 3G users was 6.489 million at the end of March, down from 6.607 million at the end of February 2022, a fall of 0.118 million. By the end of March, the number of Jazz 4G users had risen from 35.822 million to 36.518 million.

    The number of Zong 3G customers fell from 3.501 million in February to 3.447 million in March, while the amount of 4G users increased from 27.483 million in February to 28.033 million in March.

    Telenor’s 3G users totaled 3.911 million at the end of March, which was the same as at the end of February. The graph, however, shows a downward trend. Its 4G subscribers increased from 20.801 million at the end of February to 21 million by the end of March 2022.

    Read more: Textile exports soared 25pc to $14.3b: PBS

    By the end of March, there were 3.809 million Ufone 3G users, up from 3.873 million at the end of February. Ufone’s 4G user base expanded from 8.099 million in February to 8.6 million by the end of March 2022, a 0.501 million growth in the time period under consideration.