Special Communications Organization

Special Communications Organization
Public
Industry Telecommunications
Founded July 1976 (1976-07)
Headquarters Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Area served
 Azad Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan
Products Landline
WLL
CDMA
GSM
Internet
DXX
Owner Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication
Website sco.gov.pk

The Special Communications Organization (SCO) is public sector organization operated by Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication and maintained by the Pakistan Army. SCO is playing major role in providing telecommunication services in Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan.

History

SCO is a public sector organization working under Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) of Government of Pakistan (GOP), established in 1976 to develop, operate and maintain telecom services in Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan. Over the period of time, SCO has developed massive IT & Telecom infrastructure including laying of over 2500 kilometer Optical Fiber Cable network across the entire length and breadth of the area. Today, SCO stands the largest telecom network / service provider equally focusing on urban and rural areas development. SCO is providing telecom services to both public and private sector (general populace) in Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan region. It has a unique distinction of providing all brands of telecom services from voice to data under one platform.[1]

Services

SCO is responsible for providing the telecommunication needs to a population of 4.5 Million spread over 85,793 km2 consisting of the mountainous terrains of Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan.[2] SCO stands the largest telecom network services provider equally focusing on urban and rural areas development providing telecom services to both public and private sector. It has a unique distinction of providing all brands of telecom services from voice to data under one platform. SCO has the largest fixed-line network in Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan. SCO is also the largest backbone service provider in Azad Jammu & Kashmir and GIlgit Baltistan having more than 1600 kilometers of optical fiber in the region. In addition to the wired fixed line services, SCO is also providing CDMA services (SCO CDMA). It is also providing cellular mobile service under the brand name of SCOM. SCOM is the first ever GSM service of Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan. DSL and Dialup Internet services are provided under the brand name of SNET.

Government of Pakistan has assigned SCO to lay down 820 kilometer long Pakistan-China Fiber Optic Project, an optical fiber cable that will enhance telecommunication in the Gilgit-Baltistan region, while offering Pakistan a fifth route by which to transmit telecommunication traffic.[3]

Launch of NGMS in AJ&K and GB

As of February 2018, Special Communications Organization (SCO) has been given the NOC to start trials for 3G and 4G (NGMS) services in Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan. The service is available in Mirpur, Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Skardu and Gilgit free of cost until further notice when trials have been completed.[4][5]

Controversies

SCO is often criticized for poor performance and creating obstacles for other carriers in providing telecom services in AJK. SCO was given sole monopoly in AJK and the area as a result suffered and lacked in modern telecom services. However, after the 2005 quake, significant loss of life was attributed to not having communication facilities in the area.[6] Subsequent protests resulted in government of Pakistan opening up the Pakistan administered Kashmir for mobile operators which has significantly improved mobile services in the area.[7] However AJK still lags behind in broadband services due to strict hold of SCO on the network access.[8] SCO has created major hurdle in opening up 3G/4G in the AJK as it is not able to upgrade its network and is certain to lose whatever market share it has if the other operators are allowed to offer 3G/4G services.[9] The government of Pakistan has now given approval for funding for SCO to upgrade its network which may remove this hurdle for 3G/4G services in AJK.[10]

See also

References

  1. ↑ SCO Website. "About SCO". Retrieved January 1, 2017.
  2. ↑ AJKLive Website. "Services by SCO". Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  3. ↑ "Dailytimes | PM inaugurates Pakistan-China Fiber Optic project". dailytimes.com.pk. Retrieved 2017-02-25.
  4. ↑ "Gilgit-Baltistan gets 3G, 4G internet service - The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 2018-02-10. Retrieved 2018-02-13.
  5. ↑ "SCO Starts Free Trials of 3G, 4G in AJK and GB". propakistani.pk. Retrieved 2018-02-13.
  6. ↑ "Human Rights Watch Report".
  7. ↑ "Pakistan Telecom Authority News Release".
  8. ↑ "News Article".
  9. ↑ "Govt to Auction 3G/4G Licenses in AJK Later this Year". 2016-02-15. Retrieved 2016-06-17.
  10. ↑ "SCO Given the Approval for Upgradation of its GSM Network". 2016-02-11. Retrieved 2016-06-17.
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