National Telecommunication Corporation:: NTC

The new era of telecommunication in Pakistan has brought several challenges with it, the most important being the challenge to keep the security requirements of the Government of Pakistan (GoP) intact. To overcome these challenges GoP established National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC) in January, 1996 under the Telecom Reorganization Act 1996. The mandate of NTC is to provide ICT service to Federal Government, Armed Forces, Defense Projects, Provincial Governments and to all Government Institutions (autonomous/semi-autonomous bodies etc).

NTC started its operations with a few exchanges having limited capacity, countrywide transmission backbone comprising of analog Microwave and Co-axial Network. This vested communication system evolved with time at a pace faster than others and today NTC has developed its own infrastructure to an extent where it can be called an independent IT and Telecom operator meeting the challenges of the deregulated environment.

History: At the time of inception and for few years, NTC and PTCL had common network to carry out their operations. After few years NTC segregated its network and independently continued to serve its designated subscribers. NTC now has direct Interconnect with Fixed Line and Cellular operators.

The main focus in initial years was to develop own infrastructure including Out Side Plant, Optical Fiber based transmission backbone, Multi Services Data Network (MSDN) and expansion of its switching network. These few steps played significant role in making NTC standing on its feet. NTC also established Pakistan Educational Intranet (PERN) connecting Universities and Degree awarding Institutes under HEC in 2004. Not only this NTC leading in Next Generation Technologies deployed Giga Ethernet Passive Optic Fiber Network (GPON) in the country in 2008-9 and MPLS enabled IP Core with High end routers. The Next Generation Network (NGN) switching and DWDM Transmission system have been deployed and being expanded. Besides Voice and Broadband, NTC has established a secure service Platform for provision of Web Hosting and e-mail services to its designated subscribers.

Future: NTC is in the process of upgrading and expanding its existing networks by replacing TDM to IP (NGN) Platform. It will enable NTC to extend its converged services in line with industry standards besides significantly improving QoS. To improve the efficiency and automate business processes, ERP/SAP solution is under process of implementation and about to complete for enhancement of productivity and transparency in the business processes and activities.

The National Data Centre plan and expansion of network to new districts is also under implementation and in the current Financial Year NTC will establish its presence in the un- served and underserved areas with respect to its legal responsibilities.

NTC has traveled a long way in developing its infrastructure in line with the technological and market trends and is determined to meet its objectives to support the nation and GoP.