Govt. of Pakistan Wants Killer Apps

Now I read this in today's newspaper. There was this advert from the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority, which read that they wanted content and killer apps developed for the consumers. Now what does that suppose to mean. Do they want to compete with other mobile application developers. Maybe they really want to expand the local software development market and offer something cheap for the consumers.

I just really did not get the idea behind this exercise. If anyone else does, then do let me know too...

Mobilink Infinity and LinkDotNet to Merge

It is true. The infamous "May-be-Link" is working on a deal in which their WiMAX division, Infinity, will be merging with LDN DSL Network. It does not come as a surprise as Orascom has already sold the stakes in LDN to an Egyptian company in March this year.

There is also confirmed news that Mobilink has halted all expansion plans of WiMAX till the deal is through. There is a lot of investment involved in acquiring and then expanding the DSL network of LDN. The "so-called" success in Karachi, which Infinity had with WiMAX has also started seeing the dark side of it. Right now Mobilink has over 50% non-active customers out of the advertised 15,000 in 120 days customers.

I am sure that Mobilink management is making some wise decisions after all and sticking on to DSL as I believe that if you can't launch WiMAX like Wateen did, you can't do it at all.

Augere to acquire Cybernet Pakistan

Augere, the French Telecom fame broadband service provider in Pakistan, which has yet to launch its WiMAX services, has been in talks with Cybernet Pakistan for the last couple of months for a possible acquisition.

Cybernet, one of the pioneers of dial up and broadband Internet services in Pakistan is owned by Lacson Group and has its head office in Karachi. In the last couple of years, after the broadband boom started, Cybernet started loosing the market grip and once Cybernet loyal customers started churning towards other ISPs for better packages and bandwidth. Cybernet is also owner of WLL licenses which would make perfect sense for Augere to acquire the company after its year long court battle with Wi-Tribe for WLL frequencies of Telecard.

Also to be noted that in 2006, Cybernet management refused an offer of approximately USD20.0 Million from Mobilink for acquisition. Wateen was interested but never wanted to invest so much into acquiring Cybernet. Look now where the fate has brought them.

I do not have the commercial details but then again, you will know when it happens.

Update: Discussions fell flat on their faces. So Augere now has to do something on their own.