Special Communications Organization

The Special Communications Organization (SCO) is public sector organization operated by Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication and maintained by the Pakistan Army[1]. SCO is playing major role in providing telecommunication services in Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan and was responsible for providing the telecommunication needs to a population of 4.5 Million spread over 85,000 km2, consisting of the mountainous terrains of Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.[2]

Special Communications Organization
Public
IndustryTelecommunications
FoundedJuly 1976 (1976-07)
Headquarters
Rawalpindi
,
Pakistan
Area served
Azad Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan
ServicesLandline
WLL
CDMA
GSM
Internet
DXX
OwnerMinistry of Information Technology and Telecommunication
Websitesco.gov.pk

History

SCO is a public sector organization working under Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) of Government of Pakistan (GOP), established in 1976[3] to develop, operate and maintain telecom services in Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan after then Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto “found himself cut off from the rest of the world” during a trip to Kashmir and Gilgit[3].

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.[4]

Services

NGMS

SCO’s mobile network, SCOM, stands as the first telecom network provider which focuses on providing 2G/3G and 4G services in the urban and rural parts of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir in both the Public and Private sector. SCO is also the largest backbone service provider in Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, having more than 4,800 kilometers of optical fiber in the region.[1]

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.[5][1][6] 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 was available in Mirpur, Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Skardu and Gilgit free of cost until trials had been completed.[7][8]

Frequencies used on SCOM's Network
Frequency Protocol Band Class Channel Width
900 MHz GSM 2G ?
2100 MHz UMTS/HSUPA 1 3G ?
1800 MHz LTE 3 4G 10 MHz

Broadband

In addition to the mobile services, SCO is also providing wired fixed line services to almost 20,000 people by which DSL and WiFi services are provided under the brand name of SNET. SCO plans to deploy FTTH system to provide gigabit broadband services in 2020.[1]

Banking[1]

Branchless Banking - "S-Paisa" In Feb, 2019; A brand envisioned as ‘S-Paisa,’ is aimed to empower more than 6 million people of Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan through state-of-the-art, convenient and secure branchless banking services. The partnership of JS Bank with the forefront teleco will financially empower the un-banked in these regions.[9]

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.[10][1] 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.[11]

However, AJ&K still lags behind in broadband services due to strict hold of SCO on the network access.[12] 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.[13] The Government of Pakistan gave approval for funding for SCO to upgrade its network which may remove this hurdle for 3G/4G services in AJK.[14]

See also

References
  1. "PTA Annual Report 2019" (PDF). Pakistan Telecommunication Authority. 27 March 2020. pp. 21–25. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 March 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  2. AJKLive Website. "Services by SCO". Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  3. Masooma, Syeda (4 November 2019). "The battle for 4G in the North". Pakistan Today. Archived from the original on 8 November 2019. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  4. SCO Website. "About SCO". Retrieved January 1, 2017.
  5. "Dailytimes | PM inaugurates Pakistan-China Fiber Optic project". dailytimes.com.pk. Retrieved 2017-02-25.
  6. "SCO, PTCL sign agreement to provide connectivity between China, Pakistan". Pakistan Today. 14 July 2018. Archived from the original on 25 May 2020. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  7. "Gilgit-Baltistan gets 3G, 4G internet service - The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 2018-02-10. Retrieved 2018-02-13.
  8. "SCO Starts Free Trials of 3G, 4G in AJK and GB". propakistani.pk. Retrieved 2018-02-13.
  9. ""S-Paisa" Branchless Banking in AJK & Gilgit-Baltistan by SCO & JS Bank". phoneworld.com.pk. Retrieved 2019-03-07.
  10. "Human Rights Watch Report".
  11. "Pakistan Telecom Authority News Release".
  12. "News Article".
  13. "Govt to Auction 3G/4G Licenses in AJK Later this Year". 2016-02-15. Retrieved 2016-06-17.
  14. "SCO Given the Approval for Upgradation of its GSM Network". 2016-02-11. Retrieved 2016-06-17.
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