NEWS UPDATE

GSM MOBILE SYSTEM ACCOUNT BALANCE ANNOUNCEMENT INTRODUCTION

In line with ongoing efforts to further improve the quality of service to its GSM valued customers, Pacific Mobile Communications Co Ltd (PMC) will be introducing the automatic playing of your “Current Account Balance Announcement” in English, for all Mobile Out-going calls starting Friday 30th July 2004. This means that you will hear your current account balance announcement for every out-going mobile call dialed, before your actual calls are connected. Our statistics show that more and more people are making calls to find out about their balance before and after making a call. The introduction of such service will only improve repetition of such process.

This service (balance notification) is free of charge to all GSM Mobile Customers.

GSM Mobile customers with zero and negative balances (through use of SMS) will get a referral message to the PMC Customer Service. Also users can continue to dial 1250 for ongoing account balance information.

Whilst there is an automated process in place to disable making calls on a mobile phone when the balance is zero, effort is underway to do the same for the SMS service (Sending of SMS). Until such time that is implemented, SMS will be deactivated manually when the customer balance exceeds minus K10.00. Reactivation of SMS service will be done on request through PMC customer service.

During this trial period, Pacific Mobile Communication invites you, as its valued GSM customers to comment/express your opinion through its Customer Service hotline 3235555 or via email to pmc@tiare.net.pg, regarding this new service.

PMC apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause.

Noel Mobiha
Managing Director

Illegal Use of Bee Mobile GSM900 Network

Recent analysis of the caller data records (CDR) have shown that a large number of mobile calls to a particular country are illegal in nature and to some extent responsible for the congestion currently being experienced by our good and valuable customers on the Bee Mobile GSM900 Network.

Pacific Mobile Communications Ltd (PMC) has identified these persons and terminated their ability to make calls on their mobile on Friday 19 th November 2004 until further notice.   During this period and until such time when a decision is made, these persons will only be receiving calls and send and receive SMS messages.   They will also have access to 1250 to do top ups to pay for SMS.

This action by PMC has reduced congestion on the switch giving customers an improvement in making a successful first call attempt into the GSM Network.  

To protect it's operation, monopoly and interest of it's shareholder – Telikom PNG Ltd - PMC will take any appropriate action it considers necessary to protect the operation of it's Bee Mobile Network to ensure that people who misuse it are severely dealt with.

Pacific Mobile Communications Ltd reserves the right to refuse it's service to any customer whose actions it considers as being detrimental to the operations of its network.

Noel Mobiha
Managing Director
Pacific Mobile Communications Ltd

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The Pacific Mobile Communications Ltd (PMC) mobile switch in Port Moresby is about 1000 subscribers away from reaching its maximum capacity of 50,000 subscribers or 50,000 Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card.   One subscriber is assumed to be using one SIM card.  

This is similar to having a 25 seater plane and then finding that 50 passengers want to get on it.   A plane with more seats and engine power will have to be secured to make it possible to transport this load of 50 passengers.

The mobile switch is the same.   What this means is that no more purchase of mobile phones with new SIM cards will take place until more capacity is provided on the PMC Mobile Switch.   The proposition is to increase the capacity of the PMC from 50,000 to 150,000 subscribers to cater for the projected growth over next two years.

Furthermore when the number of users was low, access to the Bee Mobile network by users was easy.   Now with the number approaching 50,000, congestion will be a problem especially when some users continue to use 1250 to access balances even after it is offered free of charge before a call is connected.   This action (1250 access) is causing an overload on computer processing the mobile calls and causing it to be overloaded.

To adder this PMC has undertaken the following:

•  To ensure that some relief capacity is secured on the Mobile Switch and congestion is minimised by terminating its service to customers that are not active through making mobile calls and sending SMS messages. This commenced last week.

•  To address congestion access to 1250 for balance announcement will be temporarily suspended and announcements shortened. This will be effective 19 th December 2004.

For the short term Pacific Mobile Communications Ltd seeks potential and current mobile users and our good dealers understanding on this matter. You will be advised on the upgrade developments as we progress into the future.

Noel Mobiha
Managing Director