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I know this guy for a long time, my area lineman working for PTCL. He has developed a bossy and carefree attitude during the last couple of years. I’ve always wondered what made him changed so much. Not long ago, I used to find him on poles fixing the telephone lines twice or thrice a week. This was the time when he was not a regular employee of the company.
After privatization, when PTCL management was getting rid of extra burden, he came to me and asked what should be the best option under such circumstances. I told him that try to stay there and don’t get emotional as PTCL would always need good people.
Today, I seldom see him in the area. Not very frequently our phone lines are fixed even after number of complaints. Just before the strike, I found him in our street dictating some “chotta” who was checking the wires on one of the poles while he sat on a nearby bench enjoying a soft drink. I inquired about his absence in the area and his lack of interest in the work to which he replied that he had joined one of the unions at PTCL. He further told that he did not bother to be answerable to any GM anymore.
Last Friday, I found this very guy in front of PTCL’s head quarter in Islamabad abusing higher management protesting to raise the salaries. He is not alone, there are hundreds of likeminded workers who do not understand how competition today is eroding profits of with each passing just because the largest telecom company in the country is not performing in is full capacity just because its workers are determined to avoid the performance based analysis.
This is understandable as anyone can observe a huge difference between the customer services of PTCL and other companies. If your connection of voice, DSL or IPTV has somehow stopped working, no PTCL worker will take the pain to fix it despite of you several follow-ups unless you leave the service and go for some other company.
Technically speaking, there are number of things in PTCL’s favor even today when everyone around talks about the wireless data etc etc. Among those, it has largest landline network in the country. Out of this subscriber base of over 3 million customers it can easily convert 60% of them to go for DSL and IPTV services by just creating a balance between good services, pricing and more importantly after sales services.
On the security front, landline is still proven to be the secured medium unlike wireless data transmission. Even, military and other security agencies rely on this medium for their confidential communication. Making an unauthorized copy of packets on the network allows an intruder to breach confidentiality. Wireless networks broadcast packets in radio waves that can be received by anyone.
It is the only company offering Quad Play across the country even, Wateen has not yet offered any such thing on a massive scale. Unlike Wateen’s claim, the service is not possible on wireless medium under the current scenario. Also, in the absence of DTV in Pakistan, PTCL turn out to be a better option if quality of display, privacy and cultural war is to be taken care of.
On the wireless front, it has re-launched EVO, under the brand name EVO 3G Nitro. So far, it is the fastest and widely available data service in Pakistan. WiMax service providers have their limitation due network availability.
Most of the things discussed, what stops this company to compromise? The very apparent factor is its uncontrolled workforce. I have seen the very same attitude in National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), PIA, WAPDA, Railway and all other companies where Unions are stronger than management and decision makers.
Etisalat is in a fix, though some says they are enjoying but that has to be proved yet. Strikes and protest every year before Eid will not serve the purpose as the ultimate loser will be public of Pakistan and the national exchequer. Responsible brains must sit together and find a long term solution.
Note: I may have missed couple of aspects, kindly suggest if there are any related to this topic.
I can’t see any date mentioned to refer to when this article was posted. Anyways. I recently checked with PTCL support but they told me that the strike isn’t over yet. I wanted to know that you above mentioned that “Just before the strike that ended yesterday,” why did you say so? 2ndly one thing is that if we move on to some other service provider rather than PTCl. then its charges are way more expensive then PTCL in internet services… that makes PTCL the only feasible option left unless this strikes keeps on going and i’m left with no other option but to stop using PTCL.
you are right rizwan, strike isn’t over yet but it was supposed to end on Sept. 6 and it was heard unofficially from the sources within the Union and the PTCL management but differences raised again later.
Kindly correct typo “WAPAD”
corrected. thanks