PTA Decides to Withdraw SMS Filtration Orders: ProPakistani

by Unknown

PTA Decides to Withdraw SMS Filtration Orders: ProPakistani

PTA Decides to Withdraw SMS Filtration Orders

Posted: 21 Nov 2011 07:40 PM PST

After all the SMS filtration drama lately and revelation of original source of SMS ban list, the news is that Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has decided to hold its directive for implementing SMS filters for over 1,500 keywords, told us a source with close connections to PTA head-office.
Our source tell us that PTA is likely to withdraw earlier orders through a letter today in which PTA will explain the operators that the ban list should not be implemented due to issues known to everyone.
Before the decision was taken, officials at PTA reportedly revised and stripped the ban list down to 40 keywords only with 10 English words/phrases and 30 words and phrases in Urdu. However, authority later settled to not to float this new list of 40 keywords and maintained that input from stakeholders should be taken before any further deliberation.
It is anticipated that PTA will now ask cellular operators and other stakeholders to input to prepare a list for SMS filtration, which is likely to have fewer than 50 words in total.
If sources are to be believed than this whole process will take around a month and new SMB ban list, after proper consultation, will be communicated to cellular companies by mid December or so.
It maybe recalled that PTA last week issued a directive for cellular operators to filter SMS communication to block those message containing obscene, offensive and indecent words. However, the whole matter fired back when the list of banned keywords got leaked.
PTA was hugely criticized for the SMS filtration and for the selection of words for ban list. PTA's negligence and lack of homework for preparation of ban list was exposed when we found that list was actually copied from a website and was not revised to meet localized and SMS needs.

Warid Restarts SMS Delivery Reports [for Free]

Posted: 21 Nov 2011 07:39 PM PST

Read this post in Urdu

Warid customers reported last Wednesday that they have been receiving delivery reports for SMS messages, a feature that was previously switched-off. However, company didn't confirm us then about the service or any of its associated charges.
But today, we have got this confirmation that Warid is restarting SMS delivery reports for it's customers and that too for free (at least for now).
It won't be out of place to mention that SMS delivery reports offer users an instant notification of the SMS message being delivered to the recipient, adding reliability and dependability in communication.
SMS delivery reports were once free for all operators. However, all of them stopped offering the service back in 2009 in order to balance the load on network.
Currently almost all operators offer SMS delivery reports to their customers as a paid service.
How to subscribe to SMS Delivery Reports?

The SMS Delivery Report Service is available to all subscribers by default. However, the subscriber needs to ensure that they have this feature enabled in their mobile handset.

Price:
The service is currently being promoted free-of-cost, but we know for a fact that service will be charged in future.

Warid Organized Awareness Seminar on Dengue

Posted: 21 Nov 2011 07:38 PM PST

Read this post in Urdu

Continuing to do its part earnestly, Warid Telecom yet again takes another step towards well being of society.
Dengue caused enough of the damage already and the threat of its reappearing after winter season is something very alarming.
In this regard Warid Telecom recently organized a massive awareness campaign, aimed at helping communities to be more prepared in fighting smartly against Dengue.
Adopting unique approach towards engaging communities, over 300 young leaders were trained to volunteer for the cause Including both Warid staff members and students of Government College for Boys, Gulberg Lahore.
Dr. Prof Tariq Salahudin, the principle doctor of general hospital, Dr. Shabbir Agha of General Hospital, Dr. Haroon Ihsan, CEO NUR Foundation and other renowned experts trained volunteers group.
An amazing technique of making effective Mosquito Trap at home was also shared with group. 1000 free traps were also distributed, mainly in the less privileged areas of Lahore where people are generally not able to afford the mosquito repellents and electric mats.
This effectual drive is not just helping local communities to learn and be more prepared in fighting smartly against Dengue but it also helps them learn an easy way to develop an effective mosquito trap at home by using daily house use items.
Mosquito Trap Making Method

Items Required:

1. 2000ml (2 liter) bottle
2. 50 gram (brown sugar)
3. 1 gram yeast
4. Thermometer
5. Measure cup
6. Knife
7. Black paper

Preparation Method:
It is just a mix of water, brown sugar and yeast.

Cut a plastic bottle in half, keep both parts. Can be Coca Cola / Pepsi bottle.
Take the lower portion of the bottle. Dissolve the brown sugar in hot water. Let it cool down to ~70 deg
Add the yeast. Carbon dioxide will form (This will attract the mosquitoes)
Cover the bottle with a dark wrap and place the top portion upside down like a funnel.
Place it in a corner in your house.