ISLAMABAD: The National Database Registration Authority (NADRA) Technologies Limited (NTL) in collaboration with Ufone signed an agreement on Wednesday to give customers more options and places to pay their utility bills at more than 11,000 U-shops around the country, a statement said.
NADRA Deputy Chairman Tariq Malik and Ufone President Abdul Aziz signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) to facilitate the masses.
Malik said that e-Sahulat platform is a tip of the iceberg and NTL is in process of transforming this platform into National Smart Service Platform for e-Commerce.
Through this Smart Service Platform organisations can utilise e-Sahulat touch points for cash in and cash out transactions under branchless regulations issued by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), he said.
Appreciating the Ufone management for their initiative and customer care preferences, Malik said, this arrangement will help commercial banks and Telecommunication companies to extend branchless banking concept through e-Sahulat without raising any infrastructure, thereby, saving capital and operational cost, it said.
Friday, 31 December 2010
90 Plus Data Centralization Projects in Pipeline at NADRA
There are around or above 90 data centralization projects in the queue at NADRA, which will ultimately enable all the data of several dozen departments linked with your CNIC number, told us high level sources at NADRA.
Orientation of projects is yet to be made public; however, NADRA is planning big to make all the data of the country to be linked with a single key, that is, CNIC number.
It was told that data centralization of government and semi government department will run in phases, ultimately linking all the departments with each other.
Stated simply, in coming years your CNIC will serve as National Security Number in USA, while this single identity will serve for tracking your academic, health, driving license, family, insurance, internet and so many other records.
This is revolutionary in terms of digitizing all the records of Pakistan, however, with vertical and horizontal growth, added responsibility comes on NADRA’s shoulders for keeping the warehouse safe, secure and flawless.
After this centralization, along with countless other benefits, at least we can hope to vote to choose a leader by SMS using a registered SIM and that would save the money to treasury plus making the voting simple, fast, and clean from doubts.
You might also like:
Don't Rely on 668, Visit Service Centers to Know Exact Number of SIMs Registered Against your CNIC
PTA has officially introduced 668-SIM Information System, with what customers can check number of SIMs registered against any CNIC by sending CNIC number to 668. However, it is strictly advised to visit service centers of all cellular companies to know exact amount of SIMs registered against your CNIC.
This is due to unavailability of updated data and lack of data synchronization with 668 SIM information system.
Just as a case study, 668 responded me that there are only 2 SIMs registered against my CNIC, however, when I visited one of customer service center, company representatives told there are 11 SIMs registered against my CNIC – which they blocked instantly upon my request.
Same has been reported by many other mobile phone users. ProPakistani visitors have communicated us the same and said that the information returned by 668 varied than of that provided by Customer Service Centers.
Orientation of projects is yet to be made public; however, NADRA is planning big to make all the data of the country to be linked with a single key, that is, CNIC number.
It was told that data centralization of government and semi government department will run in phases, ultimately linking all the departments with each other.
Stated simply, in coming years your CNIC will serve as National Security Number in USA, while this single identity will serve for tracking your academic, health, driving license, family, insurance, internet and so many other records.
This is revolutionary in terms of digitizing all the records of Pakistan, however, with vertical and horizontal growth, added responsibility comes on NADRA’s shoulders for keeping the warehouse safe, secure and flawless.
After this centralization, along with countless other benefits, at least we can hope to vote to choose a leader by SMS using a registered SIM and that would save the money to treasury plus making the voting simple, fast, and clean from doubts.
You might also like:
Don't Rely on 668, Visit Service Centers to Know Exact Number of SIMs Registered Against your CNIC
PTA has officially introduced 668-SIM Information System, with what customers can check number of SIMs registered against any CNIC by sending CNIC number to 668. However, it is strictly advised to visit service centers of all cellular companies to know exact amount of SIMs registered against your CNIC.
This is due to unavailability of updated data and lack of data synchronization with 668 SIM information system.
Just as a case study, 668 responded me that there are only 2 SIMs registered against my CNIC, however, when I visited one of customer service center, company representatives told there are 11 SIMs registered against my CNIC – which they blocked instantly upon my request.
Same has been reported by many other mobile phone users. ProPakistani visitors have communicated us the same and said that the information returned by 668 varied than of that provided by Customer Service Centers.
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA)
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), in a statement has also advised the mobile phone subscribers to visit Customers Services Centre (CSC) of concerned mobile operator and get their SIM(s) data corrected. PTA has also requested the subscribers’ cooperation in streamlining of SIM data.
PTA has stated that the users may visit the Service Centers of concerned mobile operator to resolve this issue. In order to get the data corrected, for further action, mobile users would personally visit the CSC of the concerned operator and fill an undertaking by listing all the SIMs/numbers in their use and would get the unwanted numbers withdrawn from their names. The CSC shall return a copy of this undertaking to the customer.
PTA has stated that the users may visit the Service Centers of concerned mobile operator to resolve this issue. In order to get the data corrected, for further action, mobile users would personally visit the CSC of the concerned operator and fill an undertaking by listing all the SIMs/numbers in their use and would get the unwanted numbers withdrawn from their names. The CSC shall return a copy of this undertaking to the customer.
Simply write your CNIC (without dashes) and send it to 668
For instance
Write 3749127299334 and send it to 668.
You will get a reply with number of connections issued against this CNIC for 6 companies (Mobilink, Warid, Zong, Telenor, SCO and Ufone).
Service won’t tell you cell numbers, instead it will actually tell you amount of numbers – for instance, Mobilink 3,
Ufone 3,
Telenor 2,
SCO 0,
Warid 0
Total 8.
Charges
Rs 2 plus Tax per SMS, however, charges may differ at the time of launch. Let us know the results in comments.
Indeed a great service.
By the way, as mentioned above, service is not publicly available – but we, here at ProPakistani, strive to bring you things before they happen.
Update: Few readers have reported that service is down – maybe it is pulled back by operators, or the data server is down/under maintenance. Let’s wait and try again -do share results in comments.
Write 3749127299334 and send it to 668.
You will get a reply with number of connections issued against this CNIC for 6 companies (Mobilink, Warid, Zong, Telenor, SCO and Ufone).
Service won’t tell you cell numbers, instead it will actually tell you amount of numbers – for instance, Mobilink 3,
Ufone 3,
Telenor 2,
SCO 0,
Warid 0
Total 8.
Charges
Rs 2 plus Tax per SMS, however, charges may differ at the time of launch. Let us know the results in comments.
Indeed a great service.
By the way, as mentioned above, service is not publicly available – but we, here at ProPakistani, strive to bring you things before they happen.
Update: Few readers have reported that service is down – maybe it is pulled back by operators, or the data server is down/under maintenance. Let’s wait and try again -do share results in comments.
Telco's and NADRA still to agree on Financial Value for New Verification System
With only 1 day left for the launch of New System of Activating SIMs after verification of customers’ data through NADRA NIC cards, while TVCs are already on, apparently we may see imperfections in the system, especially in earlier days.
These shortcomings are not at technical level from some of operators (who are reportedly not ready for the system, and are warned by PTA, as per a news item published in DAWN), but they are specifically of financial level.
We have learned that Cellular companies and NADRA are still to decide financial value of NADRA services that cellular companies will be using for data verification.
A senior official from NADRA requesting anonymity told us that they are still working on the finances, however, system is ready and cellular companies can use it anytime. He further commented that system has been streamlined and there are trainings going on for special agents (from cellular companies) that are hired for this specific purpose of verifying data and dealing with NADRA.
When asked a question concerning the privacy of cellular subscribers, official told that there will be no compromise with the privacy at all; cellular companies will not store their data on NADRA’s system, instead they will consult NADRA’s data for verification only “We got nothing to do with cellular subscriber’s data”, he said in specific.
While a representative from a cellular industry spoke about the security concerns that cellular companies have in minds for this new system. He confirmed that new agents, that were hired specifically for this new system are trained and ready for the launch. He introduced us the system, and told that the console (application that will be used to verify the data, and it is given by NADRA) will have read/write rights for cellular companies’ agents, while NADRA officials will have read only access of the data. He further confirmed that NIC number will be used as primary key to store/retrieve data of any subscriber. “There will be some data shared between cellular companies and NADRA, and i doubt it is going to create some concerns for cellular companies”, he said.
We know that cellular companies are not feeling their best regarding this new SIM verification system, as reported by DAWN newspaper couple of days ahead. This is mainly for the reason, that cellular companies fear the slowdown of process due to NADRA’s involvement in the sale’s cycle; furthermore, they are also concerned with data sharing issues of subscribers plus the fee cellular companies will pay for each new connection is for sure a headache for them.
It merits mentioning here that NADRA had offered Rs. 20 per SIM verification; but apparently cellular companies want this price below Rs. 15. It merits mentioning that NADRA started its bid from Rs. 35 per verification. Surprisingly, none of the telecom operator has agreed or singed any contract with NADRA for new system.
Interestingly these clashes came forth very late, and we are on the verge of new system launch, which depicts sluggishness and infective planning by the organizers of the system.
It maybe recalled that we had similar situation of clash between NADRA and cellular companies in past too.
We have learned that NADRA and Cellular companies are expected to sign an agreement today (after Jumma Prayer), in which they will decide at Rs. 14 per SIM verification. It merits mentioning here that cellular companies were demanding Rs. 13 value while NADRA was asking Rs. 15 per verification. Stay tuned to get updates on this
Agreement between cellular companies and NADRA has been signed, under what cellular companies will pay Rs. 14 per sim verification to NADRA.
Know How Many Connections Issued against Your CNIC
A well wanted service is being introduced by PTA in collaboration with all companies. Now you can know the amount of connections issued against your CNIC.
These shortcomings are not at technical level from some of operators (who are reportedly not ready for the system, and are warned by PTA, as per a news item published in DAWN), but they are specifically of financial level.
We have learned that Cellular companies and NADRA are still to decide financial value of NADRA services that cellular companies will be using for data verification.
A senior official from NADRA requesting anonymity told us that they are still working on the finances, however, system is ready and cellular companies can use it anytime. He further commented that system has been streamlined and there are trainings going on for special agents (from cellular companies) that are hired for this specific purpose of verifying data and dealing with NADRA.
When asked a question concerning the privacy of cellular subscribers, official told that there will be no compromise with the privacy at all; cellular companies will not store their data on NADRA’s system, instead they will consult NADRA’s data for verification only “We got nothing to do with cellular subscriber’s data”, he said in specific.
While a representative from a cellular industry spoke about the security concerns that cellular companies have in minds for this new system. He confirmed that new agents, that were hired specifically for this new system are trained and ready for the launch. He introduced us the system, and told that the console (application that will be used to verify the data, and it is given by NADRA) will have read/write rights for cellular companies’ agents, while NADRA officials will have read only access of the data. He further confirmed that NIC number will be used as primary key to store/retrieve data of any subscriber. “There will be some data shared between cellular companies and NADRA, and i doubt it is going to create some concerns for cellular companies”, he said.
We know that cellular companies are not feeling their best regarding this new SIM verification system, as reported by DAWN newspaper couple of days ahead. This is mainly for the reason, that cellular companies fear the slowdown of process due to NADRA’s involvement in the sale’s cycle; furthermore, they are also concerned with data sharing issues of subscribers plus the fee cellular companies will pay for each new connection is for sure a headache for them.
It merits mentioning here that NADRA had offered Rs. 20 per SIM verification; but apparently cellular companies want this price below Rs. 15. It merits mentioning that NADRA started its bid from Rs. 35 per verification. Surprisingly, none of the telecom operator has agreed or singed any contract with NADRA for new system.
Interestingly these clashes came forth very late, and we are on the verge of new system launch, which depicts sluggishness and infective planning by the organizers of the system.
It maybe recalled that we had similar situation of clash between NADRA and cellular companies in past too.
We have learned that NADRA and Cellular companies are expected to sign an agreement today (after Jumma Prayer), in which they will decide at Rs. 14 per SIM verification. It merits mentioning here that cellular companies were demanding Rs. 13 value while NADRA was asking Rs. 15 per verification. Stay tuned to get updates on this
Agreement between cellular companies and NADRA has been signed, under what cellular companies will pay Rs. 14 per sim verification to NADRA.
Know How Many Connections Issued against Your CNIC
A well wanted service is being introduced by PTA in collaboration with all companies. Now you can know the amount of connections issued against your CNIC.
TECHNOLOGY
In the race of technology, NADRA hits another achievement while it launches a very useful service for verifying CNIC details. Now you don’t need to visit NADRA offices to get someone’s details verified or to get some details regarding this.
It has become very easy now to verify anyone if you are going to have dealing or are hiring him/her.
It has become very easy now to verify anyone if you are going to have dealing or are hiring him/her.
Simply verify their CNIC by sending an SMS to 7000.
Write CNIC Number without dashes and send it to 7000. In response you will get name and father’s name of that particular CNIC number holder (in urdu fonts).
Example: write 3740149922830 and send to 7000
Charges: Rs. 10 plus tax per Message (Around Rs. 12 including taxes)
At the moment this service is available for Mobilink, Telenor and Warid customers while Ufone and Zong are in process to get listed.
One may think that this is a privacy loop hole, however, as it does not provide any contact details of the CNIC holder and only reveals the name and father’s name – so it is acceptable and helpful in many means.
Talking about benefits, this service will really help the public in there general as well as special matters as you can easily verify someone’s details to check the scam or fake ones, these credentials can really help out in business deals as well as personal contracts where you need to be sure about the real person.
This service will also be helpful to law-enforcement agencies as they may be able to get more details as compared to public because there is another special number for them. They can get CNIC information by sending the number at 7001.
Subscribers will get details through cellular companies which would collect data in real time communication from NADRA National Data Warehouse. This is thought be a secure data transfer as service numbers are labeled as “Special Numbers”.
NADRA is also supporting law-enforcement agencies and govt. to implement and cope up with prevailing law and order situation. This step is regarded as a good initiative as it will support telecom infrastructure as a big advancement and will led others to bring these kinda changes and revolutions. A lot of thing are on their way but still a BIG job is to be done.
Example: write 3740149922830 and send to 7000
Charges: Rs. 10 plus tax per Message (Around Rs. 12 including taxes)
At the moment this service is available for Mobilink, Telenor and Warid customers while Ufone and Zong are in process to get listed.
One may think that this is a privacy loop hole, however, as it does not provide any contact details of the CNIC holder and only reveals the name and father’s name – so it is acceptable and helpful in many means.
Talking about benefits, this service will really help the public in there general as well as special matters as you can easily verify someone’s details to check the scam or fake ones, these credentials can really help out in business deals as well as personal contracts where you need to be sure about the real person.
This service will also be helpful to law-enforcement agencies as they may be able to get more details as compared to public because there is another special number for them. They can get CNIC information by sending the number at 7001.
Subscribers will get details through cellular companies which would collect data in real time communication from NADRA National Data Warehouse. This is thought be a secure data transfer as service numbers are labeled as “Special Numbers”.
NADRA is also supporting law-enforcement agencies and govt. to implement and cope up with prevailing law and order situation. This step is regarded as a good initiative as it will support telecom infrastructure as a big advancement and will led others to bring these kinda changes and revolutions. A lot of thing are on their way but still a BIG job is to be done.
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