The Future Of Competition In Telecom Sector

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

Telecommunication is the give and take of information over significant distances by electronic means. A complete, single telecommunications route consists of two stations, each equipped with a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter and receiver at any station may be combined into a single device called a transceiver. The medium of signal transmission can be electrical wire or cable, optical fiber or electromagnetic fields. The free-space transmission and reception of data by means of electromagnetic fields is called wireless.

The simplest form of telecommunications takes place between two stations. However, it is common for multiple transmitting and receiving stations to exchange data among them. Such a plan or preparation is called a telecommunications network. The Internet is the largest example. On a smaller scale, examples include:

Corporate and academic wide-area networks (WANs)

Telephone networks

Police and fire communications systems

Taxicab dispatch networks

Groups of amateur radio operators

Data is transferred in a telecommunications route by means of an electrical signal called the carrier or carrier wave. In order for a carrier to transfer information, some form of modulations required. The mode of modulation can be generally categorized as either analog or digital. In analog modulation, some aspect of the carrier is different in a continuous mode. The oldest form of analog modulation is amplitude modulation (AM), still used in radio broadcasting at some frequencies. Digital modulation actually predates analog modulation; the earliest form was Morse code. During the 1900s, dozens of new forms of modulation were developed, particularly during the so-called "digital revolution" when the use of computers among ordinary citizens became common.

In some contexts, a broadcast network, consisting of a single transmitting station and multiple receive-only stations, is considered a form of telecommunications. Radio and television broadcasting are the most common examples.

Telecommunications and broadcasting worldwide are overseen by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), an agency of the United Nations (UN) with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Most countries have their own agencies that enforce telecommunications regulations formulated by their governments. In the United States, that agency is the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Communication in Afghanistan

Communications in Afghanistan has grown significantly in the last decade, and has embarked on wireless companies, internet, radio stations and television channels. The Afghan MoC (Ministry of Communication) signed a $64.5 million agreement in 2006 with China's ZTE on the establishment of a nationwide optical fiber cable network. The project was projected, planned or designed to improve telephone, internet, television and radio broadcast services throughout the country. About 86% of the country's population has access to communication services as of 2012.

Telecom companies, such as Afghan Wireless and Roshan, began boasting rapid increase in cellular phone usage in the mid 2000s. In response to this Etisalat and MTN Group were launched, and by 2010 there were about 18 million mobile phone users in Afghanistan. Etisalat became the first company to launch 3G services in 2012 followed MTN and Roshan as a result 60% of the country’s populations would have access to the internet over the next two years In the meantime, Afghan officials announced that they have plan to send its own satellite into space

There are about 18 million GSM mobile phone subscribers in Afghanistan as of 2010, with over 75,000 fixed-telephone-lines and little over 190,000 CDMA subscribers. Mobile communications have improved because of the introduction of wireless carriers into this developing country. The first was Afghan Wireless, which is US based that was founded by Eng. Ehsanullah Bayat. The second was Roshan, was founded by Agha foundation, which began providing services to all major cities within Afghanistan. There are also a number of VSAT stations in major cities such as Kabul, Kandahar, Herat, Mazari Sharif, and Jalalabad, providing international and domestic voice/data connectivity. The international calling code for Afghanistan is +93. The following is a fractional list of mobile phone companies in the country:

Afghan Wireless

Roshan

Etisalat

MTN Group 

Afghan Telecom

All the companies providing communication services are compelled to deliver 2.5% of their income to the communication development fund annually.

According to the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MoCIT) there are 4760 active towers throughout the country which covers 86% of the population. The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology plans to enlarge its services in remote parts of the country where the remaining 14% of the population will be covered with the installation of 700 new towers. An agreement worth US $32 million has been signed with a Chinese contractor for the realization of the plan. The satellite will be launched at a position of 50 degrees east, due to geographical position of Afghanistan, the satellite will be able to cover Asia, Europe, Australia and Africa.  According to the Afghan Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), the geographical existence of Afghanistan is very valuable to connect all communications to this satellite

History of Telecommunication

1791 - The Chappe brothers, in France, were in their teens and were going to schools some distance apart but visible to each other. They got permission to set up a signaling system so they could send messages to each other. Their semaphore system consisted of movable arms on a pole whose positions denoted letters of the alphabet.

1793 - The Chappe brothers discovered the first commercial semaphore system between two locations near Paris. Napoleon thought this was a great idea. Soon there were semaphore signaling systems covering the main cities of France. Semaphore signaling spread to Italy, Germany and Russia. Thousands of men were employed managing the stations. The speed was about 15 characters per minute. Code books came into play so that whole sentences could be represented by a few characters. Semaphores weren't very successful in England, because of England weather as fog and smog caused by the Industrial Revolution. Claude Chappe headed France's system for 30 years and then was "retired" when a new administration came into power. There were semaphore systems in the U.S., especially from Martha's Vineyard (an island near Cape Cod) and Boston, reporting to Boston's Custom House on the movement of sailing ships. This was also true around New York City and San Francisco. Samuel F.B. Morse, the inventor of the electric telegraph, reportedly saw the semaphore system in operation in Europe. The last operational semaphore system went out of business in 1860. It was located in Algeria.

In1840 - Congress was requested to provide endowment for a semaphore system running from New York City to New Orleans. Samuel Morse, advised against endowment of this system because of his work on developing the electric telegraph.

In 1843 – FAX (Means Facsimile) invented by the Scottish physicist Alexander Bain.

In 1844 – Samuel F.B. Morse demonstrate the electric telegraph.

By 1851 - There were 51 telegraph companies in operation

In 1856 - Western Union was formed by six person from Rochester and New York. And they start an acquisition spree.

By 1861 - Both coasts were connected. There were about 2250 telegraph offices in operation all over the country.

In 1867 - The first Atlantic cable, promoted by Cyrus Field, was launched on July 28th.

In 1870 - Thomas Edison invented multiplex telegraphy.

By 1872 - Western Union bought the telegraph equipment manufacturing firm, Gray & Barton, renamed it Western Electric.

In 1876 - Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone. Elisha Gray files a copyright application 2 days after Bell. Over 700 copyright suits filed during the next 11 years. Alexander Graham Bell offers his copyrights to Western Union for $120,000.

The hilarious thing about this communication, in retrospect, is that Bell obtained controlling interest in Western Union by 1882.

In 1876 - Edison invented the electric motor and the phonograph.

In 1877 - Western Union had first telephone line in operation between Somerville and Boston.

In 1878 - The First telephonic directory was invente , New Haven, CT, and had 21 listings.

In 1880 - American Alexander Graham Bell founded. 35,000 phone in use. Bell spoke over a 1350-ft beam of light using his patented Photo phone tools.

In 1882 - Alexander Graham Bell had a control interest in Western Union and Western Electric.

In 1884 - Paul Nipkow obtained a copyright in Germany for Television, using a selenium cell and a mechanical scanning disk. The First long distanced call from Boston to New York City.

In 1885 - Theodore Vail became the President of AT&T (American Telephone & Telegraph). Left in 1887, and went to South America to install electric traction systems.

By 1890 - Herman Hollerith got a contract for processing the 1900 census data using punched cards. His firm was ultimately named IBM (International Business Machines) in 1924.

1900 - John J. Carty, Chief Engineer of New York Tel (and later AT&T), installed loading coils, invented by Michael Pupin, to extend the range and utilized open wire transposition to reduce crosstalk an inductive pickup from ac transmission lines. AT&T paid Pupin $275,000 for the use of his copyright. There were about 22,000 Telco’s in business. There were about 860,000 telephones in service.

In 1906 - Lee deForest invented the vacuum tube for conversations

1907 -Theodore Vail was again appointed as a President of AT&T (and Western Union). He was responsible for the concept of "end-to-end" service that guided AT&T and other Telco’s in providing the telphone transmission systems, and CPE that lasted until the Carter phone and Specialized Common Carrier Decisions.

In 1909 - Western Union and AT&T were intimately locked.

In 1920 - Alexander Graham Bell introduced his own step-by-step offices that were previously acquired from automatic electric.

In 1921 - The Willis-Graham Act allowed Telco’s to merge with permission of the States and the Interstate Commerce Commission.

By 1925 - Alexander Graham Bell Telephone Laboratories were founded. About 1.5 million dial telephones were in service out of 12 million phones in service.

In 1926 - Baird in Scotland and Jenkins in the U.S. demonstrate Television using neon bulbs and mechanical scanning disks. .

In 1928 - Zworykin filed patents on electronic scanning Television using the iconoscope.

In 1930 - AT&T (American Telephone & Telegraph) introduced much higher quality insulated wire

In 1935 - First telephone call around the world. About 6800 Telco’s began in operation.

In 1937 - Alexander Graham Bell introduced Model 300 improved telephone handset.

In 1938 - Alexander Graham Bell introduced crossbar central office switches.

1945 - AT&T laid 2200 miles of coax cable. Arthur C. Clarke proposes telecommunications satellites.

In 1946 - AT&T televised Army-Navy games in Philadelphia and transmited it to New York City

In 1949 - AT&T introduced the well-known black rotator Model 500 telephone.

In 1949 - Alexander Graham Bell Labs published Shannon's seminal theory of relay logic, so it may be important in the development of modern computers.

In 1964 – IBM (International Business Machine) released its well-known model 360 computer that ultimately led to $100 billion in saled over its life cycle. George Heilmeier, at RCA's research labs, invented the liquid crystal display. Douglas Englebart at SRI invented the idea of the mouse.

Introduction of Telecommunication Companies

Introduction of Roshan TDCA

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Roshan (TDCA) established in 2003, is the brand name of the Telecom Development Company Afghanistan Ltd., (TDCA) an international association with strong regional connections lead by AKFED and comprising Monaco Telecom International (MTI) and TeliaSonera.

Roshan means "light" in Afghanistan's two most widely spoken languages, Dari and Pashto, Roshan brings a promise of hope, development and a brighter future for the people of Afghanistan.

Since beginning in 2003, Roshan have invested approximately $500 million in Afghanistan. To date, Roshan is the country's single largest investor and the largest taxpayer, contributing approximately 6% of the Afghan government's overall domestic revenue. In addition, Roshan directly employs more than 1,200 people, of which, 20% are women, and provides indirect employment to more than 30,000 people. Roshan are committed to providing training and developing opportunities to each and every employee, helping to cultivate the next generation of Afghan leaders and skilled employees. 

Roshan have their sights set on being the best. Not just in the region, but in the world. By benchmarking themselves against the world's best, Roshan is fully dedicated to bringing to people the finest products and services through leading-edge innovation. In addition, Roshan have brought together the brightest talent from all over Afghanistan and beyond to manage their operations to ensure that people every experience with Roshan is second to none.

Roshan aims to develop trust, friendship, cooperation and hope, all necessary to bring the country out of a troubled past into a bright future. Roshan owned by an international association made up of three shareholders:

The Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) – 51.00%

Monaco Telecom International (MTI), a subsidiary of Cable & Wireless Communications – 36.75%

TeliaSonera – 12.25%

The Share holder of Roshan (TDCA)

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The Aga Khan Foundation is a non-denominational, international development agency established in 1967 by His Highness the Aga Khan. Its mission is to develop and promote creative solutions to problems that impede social development, primarily in Asia and East Africa. Created as a private, non-profit foundation under Swiss law, it has branches and independent affiliates in 15 countries. It is a modern vehicle for traditional philanthropy in the Ismaili Muslim community under the leadership of the Aga Khan. The Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) is an international development agency which promotes entrepreneurship in the private sector in specific regions of the developing world. A for-profit institution, the Fund helps to build economically viable enterprises through strong equity participation combined with management and technical expertise and support. AKFED companies promote sustainable economic development in South and Central Asia and sub-Saharan Africa with projects in industry, tourism, and financial services. AKFED which holds 51% of the equity in the operating company is the economic development arm of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of private, non-denominational development agencies seeking to improve opportunities and living conditions in specific regions of the developing world, especially Africa and Asia. Present in Central Asia since 1995, AKFED is also involved in the micro credit and financial services sectors in Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic. Active in the fields of industry, financial services, tourism development and infrastructure in eighteen countries across South and Central Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, AKFED operates as a network of affiliates with more than 90 separate project companies employing over 18,000 people and controlling assets in excess of US$1.5 billion. The Aga Khan Development Network, which has been supporting humanitarian assistance and rehabilitation in Afghanistan since 1996, works for the common good of all citizens, regardless of their gender, origin or religion and its underlying impulse is the ethic of compassion for the vulnerable in society. Its programs in Afghanistan come under a comprehensive development agreement by the Aga Khan.

Aga khan services

The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) is a group of development agencies working in health, education, culture and rural and economic development, primarily in Asia and Africa. It consists of nine agencies:

Aga Khan Agency for Microfinance (AKAM)

Aga Khan Foundation (AKF)

Aga Khan Education Services (AKES)

Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED)

Aga Khan Health Services (AKHS)

Aga Khan Planning and Building Services (AKPBS)

Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC)

Aga Khan University (AKU)

University of Central Asia (UCA)

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The purpose of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) is the improvement of built environments in societies where Muslims have a significant presence.

Objectives

Buildings and public spaces are physical manifestations of culture in societies, past, and present. They represent human endeavors that can enhance the quality of life, foster self-understanding and community values, and expand opportunities for economic and social development into the future. To underwrite the vitality and integrity of built environments in the Muslim world, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture has developed programs that support:

The pursuit of excellence in contemporary architecture and related fields;

The conservation and creative re-use of historic buildings and public spaces which facilitate social, economic, and cultural development;

The strengthening of education for architectural practice, planning, and conservation; and

The international exchange of ideas to enhance understanding of the intimate connection between culture and built environments in the history and culture of Islamic civilizations and in contemporary Muslim societies.

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The Aga Khan trust for Culture was founded in 1988 and is registered in Geneva, Switzerland, as a private, non-denominational, charitable foundation. It is an essential part of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a family of institutions created by Aga Khan, with distinct yet balancing mandates to improve the welfare and prospects of people in countries in the developing world, particularly in Asia and Africa.

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The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) now operates microfinance programs and institutions in over 20 countries throughout the developing world. These programs, which were previously distributed among the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED), the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC), are now overseen by the Aga Khan Agency for Microfinance (AKAM).AKAM is a not-for-profit agency created under Swiss law. Its headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland. It is governed by an independent Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board is His Highness the Aga Khan.

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The Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) is an international development agency which promotes entrepreneurship in the private sector in specific regions of the developing world. A for-profit institution, the Fund helps to build economically viable enterprises through strong equity participation combined with management and technical expertise and support. AKFED companies promote sustainable economic development in South and Central Asia and sub-Saharan Africa with projects in industry, tourism, and financial services.

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Aga Khan University (AKU) provides post-graduate training of health service professionals, teachers and managers of schools, and the development of research scholars. It was granted its charter in 1983 as Pakistan's first private, autonomous university.

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With 325 health centers, dispensaries, hospitals, diagnostic centers and community health outlets, the Aga Khan Health Services (AKHS) is one of the most comprehensive private not-for-profit health care systems in the developing world. Building on the Ismaili Community's health care efforts in the first half of the 20th century, AKHS now provides primary health care and curative medical care in India, Pakistan, Kenya, Tanzania, and Syria. It includes five general hospitals, seven maternity homes/hospitals and 187 health centers/dispensaries

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The University Of Central Asia was founded by the presidents of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan, and the Aga Khan, to foster economic and social development throughout the vast and impoverished mountain zones of Central Asia. It is the world's first internationally chartered institution of higher education. UCA is secular and private, with an independent Board of Trustees. It is coeducational, and actively recruits men and women of all backgrounds who are committed to improving the lives of mountain peoples.

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Aga Khan Education Services (AKES) currently operates more than 300 schools and advanced educational programs that provide quality pre-school, primary, secondary, and higher secondary education services to students in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Tajikistan.

Monaco Telecom

Monaco Telecom International holds 36.75% of the equity in the operating company. MTI benefits from the resources of Vivendi Universal Group, the world's second largest media and Communications Company. Vivendi Telecom International owns 55% of MTI. During the year 2000, telecommunications activity generated Euros 5.3 billion of revenues for Vivendi which employs more than 10,000 people. MTI, besides operating in Monaco, has recent experience of implementing GSM in the post-conflict environment of Kosovo in the Balkans.

Introduction of MTN

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MTN is a leading telecommunications operator in the Middle East and Africa. Through its legal entity Areeba, the company won the second GSM license in Afghanistan in July 2006 and was later re-branded to MTN in 2008.

Launched in 1994, the MTN Group is a multinational telecommunications group, MTN has service in 21 countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The MTN Group is listed on the JSE Securities Exchange in South Africa under the share code: "MTN". As of 31 December 2009, MTN recorded 92 million customers across its operations in Afghanistan, Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Cyprus, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Republic, Iran, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Uganda, Yemen and Zambia. The MTN Group was a global sponsor of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa and has exclusive mobile content rights for Africa and the Middle East.

MTN is sure that people have made the right choice in placing their trust in us. Each of our customers is special to us, and MTN aim at making sure that people are completely satisfied with MTN’s new services.

By joining MTN in Afghanistan, they have joined a family spread over 21 countries in the Middle East and Africa. And, MTN are ready to cover their telecommunication needs 'Everywhere you go' with high quality mobile voice and data solutions telecommunications. 

Introduction of Etisalat

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Etisalat Afghanistan is subsidiary of Etisalat U.A.E. It is 100% owned by Etisalat UAE. Etisalat is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world and the leading service provider in the Middle East and Africa, headquartered in the UAE.

Etisalat have service in 18 countries across Asia, the Middle East and Africa, servicing over 135 million customers out of a total population of approximately 1.9 bn people.

Etisalat Afghanistan started its operations in Afghanistan in August 2007. Since then the company has invested more than $ 300 Million in Afghanistan and revenue growth has doubled every year. The company is the fastest growing mobile phone company in Afghanistan Etisalat is providing voice and data services in 30 provinces and 182 districts with more than 12,000 retail outlets.

Etisalat is a United Arab Emirates' company, motivated by the wisdom of the leaders in the UAE in supporting the rebuilding of Afghanistan. This is a guiding principle for Etisalat as to have service in Afghanistan. Etisalat believe in creating opportunities for all and sharing with others what Allah has blessed us with—sharing their prosperity around the world by creating economic opportunities in emerging markets like Afghanistan. Etisalat's arrival here is part of the UAE promise of long-term partnership to work together with Afghans to transform this magnificent country into a modern, peaceful, and prosperous Afghanistan.

It is appropriate to mention here that 90 percent of Etislat staff comprises of local Afghans. In line with Etisalat Afghanistan's long standing resolve of partnering in the development and enhancement of human capital and skill levels of local Afghan employees, the company has recently launched Employee Succession Plan with the intention to train and develop Afghan nationals into senior management positions. Etisalat have set a target of training over 400 people over the course of this programme and expect that it will generate excellent results. The programme with the help of Etisalat Academy UAE has already been kicked off for the training of Afghan employees by the world renowned trainers.

Etisalat believes in playing an active role in supporting the community and contribute responsibly towards social development of the country. Their recent initiatives of supporting Afghanistan National Cricket Team and developing the sports at the grass root levels as well as on-going CSR initiatives in the field of health, education and other areas speaks volumes about the Etisalat Group's commitment to the people of Afghanistan.