Special Communications Organization

The Special Communications Organization (SCO) (Urdu: تنظیم برائے مواصلاتِ مخصوصہ) is Pakistani public sector organization operated by MoIT&T.[2] SCO plays a role in providing telecommunication services in Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan to almost 1.7 million people, a quarter of the total population.[2][3]

Special Communications Organization
TypePublic
IndustryTelecommunications
FoundedJuly 1976 (1976-07)
FounderGovernment
Headquarters
Rawalpindi
,
Pakistan
Area served
Azad Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan
Key people
Director General SCO, Major General - Muhammad Shahid Siddeeq
ServicesLandline
Wireless local loop
4G
GSM
Internet
RevenueIncrease Rs. 5.5 billion (US$19 million)
(2019-2020)[1]
OwnerMinistry of IT & Telecommunications
WebsiteSCO Pakistan

History

SCO is a public sector organization working under Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) of Government of Pakistan (GOP), established in 1976[4] 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.[4]

Over the period of time, SCO has developed massive IT & Telecom infrastructure including the laying of over 2500 kilometer Optical Fiber Cable network across the entire length and breadth of the area. Today, SCO stands as the largest telecom network/service provider equally focusing on urban and rural areas development. SCO is providing telecom services to both the public and private sectors (the 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. [5]

These regions are located in the northern part of the country and have historically faced challenges in terms of connectivity and communication infrastructure. The SCO network aims to bridge this gap and provide essential communication services to these areas.

The organization offers a range of telecommunications services, including voice communication, mobile services, broadband internet, and data services. These services play a vital role in connecting the residents of AJK and GB to the rest of Pakistan and the world, facilitating business, education, healthcare, and other essential activities.

It's important to note that due to the specific geographical and political context of AJK and GB, the provision of telecommunication services in these areas is subject to various considerations, including security and geopolitical factors. The SCO's role in providing these services contributes to the broader efforts to enhance connectivity and communication infrastructure in less-developed regions of Pakistan.

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.[2]

The government of Pakistan has assigned SCO to lay down 820 kilometers 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.[6][2][7] 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.[8][9]

SCOM is the first network to have installed a mobile tower at the K2 base camp where previously satellite phones would be used for communication.[10]

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

Broadband

In addition to the mobile services, SCO is also providing wired fixed line services to almost 20,900 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.[2]

Banking[2]

Mobile Financial Services - "S-Paisa" In July, 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 telco will financially empower the un-banked in these regions.[11]

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.[12][2] Subsequent protests resulted in government of Pakistan opening up the Azad Jammu and Kashmir for mobile operators which has significantly improved mobile services in the area.[13]

However, Azad Jammu and Kashmir still lags behind in broadband services due to the strict hold of SCO on the network access.[14] 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.[15] The Government of Pakistan gave approval for funding for SCO to upgrade its network which may remove this hurdle for 3G/4G services in AJ&K.[16]

See also

References
  1. "Gilgit Baltistan achieves record revenue of Rs. 5.5 billion through SCO's Telecom services". TechJuice. 2021-03-19. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
  2. "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.
  3. Special Communications Organization [@hq_sco] (20 July 2020). "SCO subscriber base stands at a figure of 1.7 million. SCO always provides communication uninterruptedly even in the increase in voice and data traffic, natural catastrophes and load shedding" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  4. 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.
  5. SCO Website. "About SCO". Retrieved January 1, 2017.
  6. "Dailytimes | PM inaugurates Pakistan-China Fiber Optic project". dailytimes.com.pk. 19 May 2016. Retrieved 2017-02-25.
  7. "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.
  8. "Gilgit-Baltistan gets 3G, 4G internet service - The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 2018-02-10. Retrieved 2018-02-13.
  9. "SCO Starts Free Trials of 3G, 4G in AJK and GB". propakistani.pk. Retrieved 2018-02-13.
  10. "Pakistan installs first high speed 4G mobile tower at K2 base camp". Daily Pakistan Global. 2021-04-21. Retrieved 2021-05-16.
  11. ""S-Paisa" Branchless Banking in AJK & Gilgit-Baltistan by SCO & JS Bank". phoneworld.com.pk. 22 February 2019. Retrieved 2019-03-07.
  12. "Human Rights Watch Report".
  13. "Pakistan Telecom Authority News Release".
  14. "News Article".
  15. "Govt to Auction 3G/4G Licenses in AJK Later this Year". 2016-02-15. Retrieved 2016-06-17.
  16. "SCO Given the Approval for Upgradation of its GSM Network". 2016-02-11. Retrieved 2016-06-17.
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