ISLAMABAD: Acting on the Telecom Policy-2015, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is developing a system to strengthen and ensure transparency in process of Type Approval.
The Authority envisions to eventually moving towards a completely online based system and is actively working towards development of such process. However, in order to facilitate all applicants who wish to apply, application form is available online and an applicant can submit all documentation electronically or in form of a CD. According to PTA here on Sunday, payment can also be done in PTA account listed on its website and a scanned receipt from bank can be submitted.
All these steps are put in place to facilitate and optimize process for all applicants who may apply remotely. The C-EIR system would be developed in consultation with all stakeholders.
The Authority further maintained that PTA has developed its type approval process in line with best international practices and as per International Telecommunication Union (ITU) recommendations. Applicant has to provide test reports from world renowned labs for type approval. The Authority also performs OS Testing at its end for the mobile devices and only devices that successfully pass all these test are processed for type approval.
All applicants who wish to obtain such certificate for a model must provide documentation. On successful evaluation of the mandatory required documentation a Type Approval certificate is processed by directorate through an online portal system and a final approval given by the DG Services.
Some checks are in place to ensure transparency of process and these include entire processing of case is done through an online portal which is visible to all relevant officers, concerned DG and Chairman.
Entire progress at each step is visible and can be accessed at a click of a button to review historical data and status. Issued Type Approval certificate has an embossed stamp to reflect more authenticity and mitigate the risk of forgery. The Type Approval certificates have a GSMA TAC code printed on it which can be verified at any given time from the PTA for authenticity.
A unique document certificate number is printed on the back of each certificate which is a number issued by the PTA type approval directorate that can be used to trace out any issued certificate along with entire historical record. PTA in line with the best international practices allows only those devices into the country which have a genuine IMEI issued by the GSMA.
All cases for type approvals and NOC for mobile devices, the device having IMEI number are duly verified through the GSMA database and only authenticated IMEI are allowed. All issued Type Approval certificate and NOC copies are also sent to relevant custom office where the consignment is withheld. This approach allows for a close coordination with the customs authority and release of equipment is only done after both Applicant issued copy tallies with the custom issued copy containing embossed stamps from PTA has been matched.
