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Zong seems to have convinced other operators to launch the location based calling packages which it started with “Lahore Unlimited” and later “Karachi Unlimited”few months back.
In response, Mobilink has just started this offer which says, “Barday Shehar Ki Bardi Baatain”. The package gives Jazz Budget Package holder opportunity to talk free from 12AM to 9AM and during the day it offers 50% discount on calls from 9AM to 12AM along with 1000 Free SMS everyday. For this offer, Mobilink is charging Rs. 9.99 per day plus tax.
If you are not a Jazz Budget Package holder, you need to subscribe it first and then dial *108# to subscribe for the Karachi Offer.
The pioneer Zong is offering the Karachi Unlimited on daily and monthly basis charging Rs. 7 + tax and Rs. 199 + tax respectively, whereas, Mobilink’s per day subscription charges are almost Rs. 10 + tax and with no monthly option, the entire month’s billing is over Rs. 350.
As far as SMS is concerned, 1000 SMSes from Mobilink are sufficient, though, Zong’s Karachi daily offer does not offer SMSes but its monthly package gives the freedom to send unlimited SMSes to any network.
A signboard installed in Karachi displaying Mobilink's latest offer
Another area, the major one, Mobilink is still charging 50% call charges during the day hours when call frequency graph is at highest. Free calls at night will benefit only young people who do not sleep depriving the older ones of free call facility.
Whereas, Zong’s Lahore and Karachi Unlimited takes the lead as it gives the freedom to call free 24/7. Even, this package is still maintaining a higher demand graph than m9 package of Zong. A little survey has revealed that, due to this location based services, many families have shifted on Zong’s network because it is cheaper than PTCL even to call their loved ones, day or night.
Why Zong may have planned to give it all free without any 12 hour limit, my own perception is that Zong has lowest number of subscribers and if Mobilink does the same, probably, its system will not hold it for long and it will choke eventually.
But some how, Zong has earned a 19.7 percent growth in its subscriber base since it launched Lahore Unlimited and Karachi Unlimited packages. It has jumped from 6.7 million customers to 8.0 million according to the latest industry figures, highest gain the industry witnessed in November 2010. Whereas, Mobilink the largest operators is the only service provider coming down from 32.2 millions subscribers to 31.5 million. That really gives a clue that why Mobilink may have planned to come this way.
Only time is going to confirm, what statistics Mobilink will put on table.
Zong’s offer is really gr8. itz gona make a lill movement in the environment. i think itx gona make a good change and competition. people hv started turning their tables folks
i’m loving the offer. totally works for me!!
I’M SURE ITS GONNA BE A GREAT PACKAGE AS IN CASE OF ZONG PEOPLE HAD SHIFT THEIR NETWORK BUT MOBILINK HAS A LARGE NO. OF PEOPLE ON IT, ITS A TREAT FOR THEM I GUESS…
Kamran if you note it is the same call rates as they are already providing in other package. 50% charges in the day time + daily subscription…is it something free like Zong. Mobilink has always been the last entity to reduce call rates. Commercially thinking why would they reduce to minimize their own profit…:)
Biggest follows the smallest…this is industry.