Being a government-owned monopoly (PTCL) owned by a government-owned monopoly (Etisalat) usually means that you’re free to squash any creativity and competition while searching for even more profit. And even after making Rs 15.6 billion in Profit (yes profit),PTCL is still pushing its own dialup internet services, at the cost of ISPs. Sounds familiar?

Now, having said that, it IS easier for the customer to use PTCL’s new service. Billing is now integrated with your phone bill, and all you have to do is  dial a number without getting a prepaid card. No idea on what the speed/service will be like. If its like PTCL broadband, then it will be just passable at best. Go here for details:

http://www.ptcl.com.pk/contentp.php?NID=134

Background :

Etisalat is one of just two (yes two) providers of internet services in the UAE. Now that they run PTCL, which operates in a comparatively competitive and free environment seems like they are after the ISP business here as well now, and I dont think the government will step in to save the ISPs or anyone else in the way of this bulldozer. I dont like any move that is designed to squash otherwise healthy competition. The message ptcl is giving is “hope on board, or get out of the way”

In the end, Dial-up isnt as profitable as it used to be, and mostly people are switching to broadband, the new green field in the consumer internet game, however this move by PTCL still puts many smaller ISPs at further risk of losing profits and market share fast.

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