It seems like PTCL is going to double the DSL speeds of broadband customers very soon, most likely with in month or two, at most – same like it did last year. According to news the existing packages will be doubled as

• 1 mbps to 2 mbps
• 2 mbps to 4 mbps
• 4 mbps to 8 mbps

According to PTCL representative and feedback of different users PTCL is testing these double speeds on randomly selected subscribers from different areas of country. These users will be downgraded after the testing period ends to their original speeds and will be upgraded after official announcement, which is most likely to be on 23rd March, but can be delayed as no final date has been announced yet.

The up gradation process may take several months according to the size of network. Though PTCL is using is ADSL2+ which supports up to 24mbps but at same time there are many subscribers on Copper media, which supports up to 4 mbps at most (that too with distortion).

We hope that student package users will also get this upgrade and can enjoy higher speeds at discounted rates as recently PTCL discontinued all student packages above 1mbps.

We will keep you informed on this, you can also share your experience in comments if you got this test up gradation.

No official words on the situation yet.

via ProPakistani

Google Pakistan, in partnership with P@SHA, is holding a workshop on Online Marketing on Wednesday January 13, 2010 at T2F in Karachi from 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. followed by a quick lunch.

This talk, which will be facilitated by Badar Khushnood, Pakistan Consultant for Google, will help Pakistani technology companies to harness the power of the internet for promoting their products and services to potential local & global customers most economically. This course will also explore various tools and applications that are available online, for marketers.

Pictures:

Pictures: Badar Khushnood – http://bit.ly/badar

Ufone Background music lets you play music and sound effects in the background of your call. You can play your favorite song in the background, or the sound of the beach, a market place and many more.

So stop making those boring calls and personalize your conversations by playing music that matches the mood in the background. Just activate this service on your Ufone, select the song you want and hear the music play during the call. And that’s not all. You can also select different music for different people and play special sounds during the conversation at the press of a button.

Once the service is activated on your Ufone you can dial 770 and either select different songs for different mobile numbers or you can select one single song for all mobile numbers.

How To Use Ufone Background Music Service:

By dialing 770, you can manage your Background Music account by adding, deleting or changing the songs.

An easy way to add music to a conversation is by adding the prefix 77 before dialing the required number.

Here is a short guide to Ufone Background Music (BGM) Service:

Ufone BGM service can be subscribed as follows:

• SMS SUB to 770
• Dial 770

You are subscribed and a default BGM tune is set against your number.
You can download content through following medium:

• SMS to 770
• Dial 770
• Log on to BGM Subscriber WEB Portal- click here

http://bgm.ufone.com:8080/bgmSubWeb/homepage.htm

After selecting a content, you will be given the option to assign the selected content on your phone keys (1 – 9).
After first subscription, first three content (including default tune) will be downloaded for free.

Ufone Background Music Call Mechanics:

You have complete control over the music while it is playing. You can easily control the volume of the music and can end the music as and when you want! This is not all- you can also add sounds effects like a crying baby, car horn, marketplace, etc. Just read on below to know all about Ufone Background Music Service.

In order to initiate a BGM call, simply dial 77 followed by any number e.g 770333xxxxx , 77051xxxxx, 770300xxxxx
If you are not subscribed to BGM and want to initiate a BGM call by dialing 77 before the required number, call will not be initiated and you will be prompted to press 1 to subscribe the service.
A default BGM tune is set against the MSISDN.
After downloading content, other tunes and sound effects can then be assigned on keys 1 to 9.
Volume of BGM will be increased by pressing the ‘#’ key.
Volume of BGM will be decreased by pressing the ‘*’ key.
Pressing ‘0’ key will mute the Background Music during the call.
Pressing ‘0’ key will again activate the Background Music during the call.
If you are a BGM user and want to copy the BGM of other BGM user during the call, ‘*’ key will be pressed.
If B party is not a BGM subscriber and wants to copy A party’s (BGM subscriber) BGM tune, B party can press the ‘*’ key to copy the BGM tune. B party will also be subscribed and the copied tune will be set as his/ her BGM tune.

SMS Commands:
Following commands will be sent to 770:
To Subscribe SUB
To Unsubscribe UNSUB
For Help HELP
Content Download CONTENT ID

Pricing:
Subscription Charges (Prepaid) Re. 0.5+Tax per Day
Subscription Charges (Postpaid) Rs. 15+Tax per Month
Call Charges to 770 IVR: Rs. 2+Tax per Minute
Content Download: Rs. 5+Tax per Download
BGM Tune Copy: Rs. 5+Tax per Copy
SMS to 770: Rs. 2+Tax/SMS
Call Charges with prefix 77: Rs. 1.30+Tax/Minute (Prepaid & Postpaid)

(Prefix based charging applies on all U to U, U to OMO and U to PTCL)

Terms and Conditions:

Calls with prefix 77 will be charged on premium rate of Rs. 1.30 + Tax per minute regardless of user’s current call package.
Service available for both Prepaid and Postpaid users.
Service is not applicable for International calls.
Service is not applicable for roamers.
After using the service for a month, if you do not have the service subscription fee for next one month, you will be unsubscribed from the service and will have to subscribe again by dialing 770 or simply sending SUB to 770.

• Prepay advantage – Easy Recharge through Vfone Scratch Cards
• Unlimited Data Volume downloads!
• Superior 3G experience.
• Broadband Internet in your pocket
• EV-DO Roaming in all Major Cities- Nationwide Roaming through automatic switch over to 1 X in non EVDO Coverage areas.Average download speeds from 300 kbps to 500 kilo bits per second! 
• Access rich media applications like live video streaming, web casts, online games and a host of other applications.
• Plug & Play – Instant Connectivity
• Rs.999 is price of the PCMCIA Card.
• This offer is not valid on Evo USB.
• PCMCIA Card works only on laptops which have the PCMCIA Slot.
• PCMCIA Card is not compatible with all Laptops/Desktops.

Benifits

• Never Before Speed: With PTCL Evo Wireless Broadband’s 3G network technology you now have access to internet at super fast speeds using the new USB Modem & PCMICA card.
• Internet on the Move: Customers have the convenience of being able to access PTCL Evo Wireless Broadband from wherever they are.
• Unlimited Downloads: Customers have the freedom to download as much data as they want as there are no download limits.
• All Pakistan Roaming: Roaming in entire Pakistan. Evdo coverage in all major cities of Pakistan. CDMA 1X  lower speeds (153 kbps) in 1900 mhz Vfone coverage areas.
• Plug and Play: All you now need to do is just plug the USB Modem/PCMICA into your Laptop / Desktop PC and you are ready to access a whole new world of high-speed internet connectivity.
• Hassel free/Wireless: With Evo sleek and stylish devices, you are now completely free from wires.

Postpaid Tariff/Package Details:

Package 1 (For subscribers having PTCL Landline)

Option 1:         USB Device     Rs. 3,999 (upfront)

Option 2:         PCMCIA Card Rs. 999 (upfront)

Monthly Service Charges        Rs. 2,000 (Payable through PTCL Landline Bill)

Package 2 (For subscribers NOT having PTCL Landline)

Option 1 :        USB Device     Rs. 3,999 (upfront)

Option 2:         PCMCIA Card Rs. 999 (upfront)

Monthly Service Charges        Rs. 2,000 (Payable at start of each month at PTCL OSS or CSCs)

Nokia N900 Maemo 5 Bakes in Skype

The new Maemo 5 software in the Nokia N900 has some surprises, including Skype baked into the operating system. Sweet! This will allow you to make free calls using the uber-gadgety Nokia N900.

What else is new? Well Maemo 5 will update over-the-air (OTA), so no more connecting to a PC just to do a software update. It also sports a 5MP camera with Carl Zeiss optics for a high-quality camera that iPhone users could only dream about. You can also zoo, crop, remove red eye and more on the Nokia N900.

The Nokia N900 is Linux-based and so it feature a full-fledged browser that is more powerful than your typical mobile browser. For instance, it can play YouTube and other Flash videos in the webpage without having to launch a separate player like the iPhone has to do.

Within the Skype application you’ll notice that your Skype contacts appear with their online status in the Nokia N900 address book. You can call, or IM over 3G and WiFi. Previous calls and instant messages on Skype appear in your conversation history. Smilies and other emoticons are supported in IM.

Some highlighted specifications:
3.5 inch touch-sensitive widescreen display
800 × 480 pixel resolution
Bluetooth v2.1 including support for stereo headsets
Integrated FM transmitter
Integrated GPS with A-GPS
Up to 1GB of application memory (256 MB RAM, 768 MB virtual memory)
Wide aspect ratio 16:9 (WVGA)
Video recording file format: .mp4; codec: MPEG-4
Video recording at up to 848 × 480 pixels (WVGA) and up to 25fps
Video playback file formats: .mp4, .avi, .wmv, .3gp; codecs: H.264, MPEG-4, Xvid, WMV, H.263

Hold your seats now. You can get an amazing opportunity to get Platinum or Golden numbers with Cordless sets through PTCL Premium Number service with increased memorability. Premium number service includes numbering range which comprise of 3 -4-5 consecutive digits which are exclusively suitable for customers who want one premium family number for their home which is easy to remember and ear pleasing. This also gives comfort to your callers as they don’t have to remember complex and more commonly used numbers.

Package Tariff:

• Platinum package @ Rs 15,000
• Golden package @ Rs 10,000  
• Rs. 2000 charges to be billed through first monthly bill for both categories
• Same installation fee and line rent charges

Order Line:

This service can be acquired by calling 0800 80 800 helpline or through walk-in channels.

Frequently Asked Questions- FAQs

1. Who can avail Premium Number Service?
Ans: All the customers who want to have new PTCL landline connection and are interested to get the Platinum or Golden numbers.

2.  What are service charges?
Ans: If customer opts for Platinum number, then he/she will be charged @ Rs15000 (Cost for Platinum number + Cordless). In case of Golden number, he/she will be charges@ Rs 10,000 (Cost for Golden number+ Cordless). Rs. 2000 charges to be billed through first monthly bill for both categories

3.  How to avail this service?
Ans: By calling 0800 8 0800 helpline or through Walk-In channels (from designated list of OSS).

4.  Can existing PTCL customers acquire this service?
Ans:  No. This service would be applicable on only new telephone connection requests. Existing   customers can opt for secondary PTCL landline in order to avail this service.

5. Can I suggest my own number for Premium number service?
Ans: No.

6. Is it necessary for me to get the Cordless Set after getting the PTCL landline number? What if I don’t?
Ans:  Yes. This is a new telephone connection (NTC) promotion bundled with Cordless sets. In bundled services you cannot select one and leave the other offer.

7. Are there any additional charges for Premium Number Service?
Ans: There are two packages “Platinum Number”@ @ Rs15000 (Cost for Platinum number + Cordless) and Golden Number @ Rs10,000 (Cost for Golden number + Cordless). Rs. 2000 charges to be billed through first monthly bill for both categories

8.  Will I surely get the Platinum/Golden number selected during the order entry time?
Ans: Every new telephone request in PTCL under goes a resource confirmation/ feasibility process, if     that is clear then you will surely get the desired number which is selected at the time of order taking.

9.  How much time it will take to get my PTCL Landline installed at my premises?
Ans:  At least seven days. Its depends on the area customer is in and the feasibility report.

10.  How to acquire Cordless set and where to deposit the set charges?
Ans: Once the landline is installed and you get the External Construction worksheet order form from the customer support representative.  You will take this form to specific PTCL One Stop Shop (OSS) as informed by the CSR during the Order taking time.

11. I have lost the External Construction Work order form, how do I get Cordless now?
Ans: You can visit specific PTCL One Stop Shop (OSS) as informed by the CSR during the Order taking time and request for cordless set.

12. My neighbor doesn’t have any PTCL landline number. What to do now?
Ans: Premium numbers have been reserved Exchange wise across Pakistan. Neighbor number is very important in order to indentify the right exchange for the requesting customer to avoid ambiguity at our end.

13. Can Premium number be shifted to other exchange, if I change my geographical location?
Ans:  No. In that case, you might not get the same number again.

14. My cordless set is faulty, how can I replace it?
Ans:  You can take this set to specific PTCL One Stop Shop (OSS) as informed by the CSR during the Order taking time

15. Are there any special PSTN features which I get through this service?
Ans: There are no other special features except having a easy to remember Platinum/Golden Number.

Apple’s job listings just got interesting again, with positions open for a Video Game Artist and a Software Engineer for the iPhone Gaming Group. That’s right, “iPhone Gaming Group”. It looks like that Game/Media Software Engineer position from last month wasn’t a one off, and Apple is finally, seriously, getting into the game… game. (Sorry, but you saw that coming!)

For the artist:

The interactive media group is looking for a skilled artist who wants to work as part of a small highly motivated team to work on interactive multimedia experiences on the iPhone and iPod Touch. The position on the team is to help design, visualize, enable and implement interface, 3D characters/environments, animation, texturing as well as original concept artwork.

For the engineer:

The iPhone Games Group is looking for a proactive, highly motivated engineer with 5 + years experience, to share their expertise in application and framework development.

So, how about it? Sounds like a lot of firepower for “Texas Holdem’ 2″, doesn’t it? Think we’ll finally see some Sony or Nintendo caliber 1st party gaming coming out of Apple? And if so, what would they be?

PTCL is still trying to capture more and more landline customers and as a result after, the recent discount promotion PTCL once again has come up with another innovative and appealing offer which is a part of ongoing Synergy Projects with its sister concern company UFONE .

Through this offer any customer who wants to acquire a new telephone connection (NTC) can also get UFONE SIM with the same number (03xx-7 digit) as of PTCL Landline.

What’s the deal?

•No special charges for PTCL number/UFONE SIM
•Same installation fee and line rent charges for PTCL Landline.
•SIM will be sent to the customer through TCS (Courier Service). Customer just needs to pay ordinary UFONE charges (Rs 150 and a balance of Rs 100 will be available)
How to get this?

This service can be acquired by calling 0800 80 800 helpline or through walk-in channels.

Note:
•This service would be applicable on only new telephone connection requests.
•Existing customers can opt for secondary PTCL landline in order to avail this service.
•This is a PTCL NTC promotion, so UFONE customers cannot apply for this service for their existing numbers.
•You cannot suggest your own numbersNumbers are already matched in both networks which are not assigned to any customer yet.
•Every new telephone request in PTCL under goes a resource confirmation/ feasibility process, if that is clear then you will surely get the desired number which is selected at the time of order taking.
•Process takes at least seven days. Its depends on the area customer is in and the feasibility report.
•UFONE will send the SIM to customer premises through TCS. TCS Rep will collect Rs 150 from the customer as SIM charges.
•Identical numbers have been reserved Exchange wise in three main cities. Neighbor number is very important in order to indentify the right exchange for the requesting customer to avoid ambiguity at our end.
•There are no other special features except having Identical Number UFONE SIM as well.