‘Internet infrastructure spurs broadband demand’

Wasim Ahmad is the chief executive officer at wi-tribe Pakistan, a subsidiary of Qatar-based internet services provider firm. In an interview with The News, he talked about the ongoing development of internet infrastructure. He believed that the infrastructure is very reassuring and helping increasing demand of internet connections.
Q. What is the size of the present broadband market? How wireless technologies are affecting it?
A. I am sure that we will see exciting innovation within the internet services sector in the years to come. The future is bright!
The figures speak for themselves. Currently, total number of broadband users stands at 3.7 million.
Digital subscriber line is the leading broadband technology in Pakistan, followed by Cable Modem, WiMax, and the recent 3G/4G technologies.
3G/4G technology and WiFi/WiMax networks are increasingly being used as an alternative to fixed-line broadband connections in homes.
Wireless internet is the way forward. It provides a convenient way to stay connected online on the go and allows instant access to internet.
Q. What do say about social impact of new technologies?
A. The impact of the technologies is significant. Access to internet regardless of the technology used, brings positive impact in a society. Not only does it help in spreading awareness and providing an endless source of information but it also helps in transforming lifestyles towards a ‘digital way of living’.
The digitalisation of our lifestyle is quite evident. Take a look at the services sector, for example, which is being transformed with the help of mobile apps.
Not surprisingly, smartphone usage has increased dramatically in the last few years and to me that is very encouraging. People with 3G/4G packages have a broadband connection as their primary source of internet at home.
The current development of internet infrastructure is also very reassuring and it has helped make a stronger internet user base in

Pakistan. This automatically helps boost the demand of a stable broadband internet connection, for which wi-tribe provides the best solution.
Q. What are the challenges?
A. I feel that people are not able to properly relate themselves with brands. There’s a gap between what a brand stands for and what people expect from it. People say that the world has become more complex. I say it’s always been complex; we only need to use the tools at our disposal to try and make sense of it.
Another very important aspect to me is the considerable amount of population that has still not received access to the internet.
With proper planning and investment, there is a lot of potential in the internet sector of Pakistan.
Q. Wi-tribe appears to be losing its market share. What are the reasons?
A. I would like to clear this misconception about our company. From the outside, it seems as if wi-tribe is losing its market share but that is definitely not the case.
Keeping in view the turbulent market conditions, we have consistently maintained our market share.
Q. What are the strong points of your company?
A. We believe in empowering our employees and providing excellent support services to our customers.
Service quality is something that is currently lacking within broadband companies, which fails to match expectations.
We pride ourselves in ensuring that our customers enjoy our services and are happy with the support we give them.
wi-tribe is also proactive in striving to bring innovative products and services in order to bring the newest technologies to its customers.
Q. Share with us your company’s plans.
A. We strive for innovation and provide creative solutions to our customers.
Our main focus for the future is to enhance our customer experience process. We are not just another internet service provider company. We want our customers to feel comfortable with our services and we want to enrich their lives by providing unique products, services and add-ons.
One of our priorities is to better understand the growth of mobile phone usage in the country and provide useful products and services primarily covering ecommerce and entertainment categories.
Q. Tell us about your corporate social responsibility activities.
A. Wi-tribe firmly believes that education is the basic right of any child and a vital tool in developing the future generations for a brighter future. We have been actively working on projects for supporting educational institutions and will continue to do so in future.