Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Uber Planning Pakistan Launch

Uber, the rapidly growing San Francisco based behemoth known for its taxi app,  appears to be getting ready to launch its service in Lahore, Pakistan, according to media reports.

A report in Tech In Asia points to the career page on Uber website that shows openings for “general manager”, “operations and logistics manager”, and a “marketing manager,” for Lahore,  Pakistan's second-largest city.

In fact, Uber has confirmed its plans to launch in Pakistan soon, according to TechJuice.

“We can confirm we are currently recruiting for a team in Lahore, and are very excited about launching in Pakistan as we see huge potential in the way we can help people move around their city safely and reliably,” Shaden Abdellatif, communications manager for Uber’s Middle East and Africa operations told TechJuice. “We are also excited about the opportunity for economic empowerment we can bring to the drivers we partner with.”



It makes sense given the size of the Pakistan's expanding urban middle class with its fast growing mobile broadband subscriptions combined with rising smartphone sales in the country.

Pakistanis are signing up for 3G and 4G services at a rate of 1 to 2 million new subscriptions a month. In September 2015 alone, Pakistan Telecom Authority reported 2.22 million new 3G and 4G subscriptions in the country. There's corresponding increase in demand for smartphones.



With over 18 million smartphones and mobile broadband subscriptions, Pakistan is ripe for a whole range of new businesses from e-commerce to gaming to various online services like Uber that are accessed through smartphone apps.

Related Links:

Haq's Musings

Mobile Broadband Subscription Growth Accelerates in Pakistan

Pakistan Car Sales Jump 72%; Cement Consumption Up 17%

iPhone 6 and 6S Launched in Pakistan

Pakistan Government Deploys Mobile Apps

E-Commerce Taking Off in Pakistan

Haier Pakistan to Manufacture Smartphones


22 comments:

Riaz Haq said...

Uber set to launch operations in Pakistan

And while Uber’s arrival is generally exciting news for the country’s startup scene, we also wanted to know what existing players – ones who already occupy the online app-based taxi space in Pakistan – had to say about the development.

The first company we spoke to is itself a recent entrant and an offshoot of an international company, albeit one without the reputation and financial backing of Uber – Careem. Careem itself has just relaunched in Lahore hiring local turnaround expert Junaid Iqbal, to try and grow the company after having failed to make much of an impact in its first try at cracking the market back in April of this year.

Uber’s global success has spawned competitors around the world, many of which now rival Uber in certain markets. In neighbouring India, Ola cabs – a company started by an IIT graduate has received hundreds of millions of dollars in funding and is beating Uber at its own game. Similarly, Didi Kuaidi, a Chinese home-grown Uber, has also raised several billion dollars and is dominant over Uber in marketshare there.

Careem is another Uber-clone but one that has so far focused on the Arab market. What makes its arrival into Pakistan even more interesting is that one of its co-founders is a Pakistani based in Dubai.

“We were expecting Uber’s arrival. Competition is good and we are really excited about their announcement,” said Managing Director Careem, Junaid Iqbal, while talking to The Express Tribune.

Not exactly the response we were expecting, so we asked Iqbal why the imminent arrival of Uber has caused such a stir here.

“Uber’s arrival will only help develop the ecosystem and speed up the adoption of sharing/on-demand economy in Pakistan. It also brings the right kind of attention to our country,” said Iqbal.

When asked about the now inevitable proposition of competing with a company that is believed to be currently valued at around $70 billion – twice the total market cap of all companies listed on the Karachi Stock Exchange – Iqbal simple replied, “The pie is big enough for everyone.”

He was also quick to point out how Careem had no shortage of funds at its disposal with a working model already in place in the Middle East and North Africa.

“We are in the process of getting some serious backers on board. “We are behind Uber in some countries in the region, … in some they are behind us and in some we are head-to-head.”

Careem raised $10m last year in its second round of funding – a significant contributor being Al Tayyar Group, a Saudi conglormerate.

So how exactly will businesses, such as Careem, compete with a behemoth like Uber? According to Iqbal, the key was in ‘localisation’.

http://tribune.com.pk/story/980530/uber-set-to-launch-operations-in-pakistan/

Riaz Haq said...

Online taxi giant #Uber aims to launch in #Pakistan by end of 2015 http://reut.rs/1O7IVPR via @Reuters

Online taxi-hailing service Uber will launch in Pakistan by the end of the year, a spokeswoman said on Tuesday, part of an aggressive push targeting megacities in the Asia Pacific region.

Undeterred by the failure of other online taxi-hailing ventures in Pakistan, Uber's career page advertised three top manager positions in the eastern city of Lahore this week.

The company hopes Pakistan's launch of 3G and 4G telecommunication services last year will galvanism business.

Fourteen percent of Pakistan's population of 190 million has access to the Internet and 73 percent to mobile phones, the country's telecommunications authority says.

“We want to launch by the end of the year or at the latest by early next year,” Shaden Abdellatif, Uber’s head of communications for the Middle East and Africa, told Reuters.

“We will put together a team in Lahore within the next couple of months,” she said, referring to Pakistan’s second largest city where the service will first be launched.

Uber Technologies Inc, currently valued at over $50 billion, uses a free GPS-enabled app to link drivers from private car companies to passengers at cheaper rates and promises a quicker response time - often within 10 minutes.

The company, founded in 2009, has expanded more quickly globally than any company in history and is operating in 300 cities in over 60 countries.

GLOBAL BRAND, LOCAL ADJUSTMENTS

The Pakistan launch of Uber comes after other taxi-hailing ventures, such as German ecommerce investor Rocket Internet’s Easy Taxi app, have failed to penetrate the market. But Uber hopes its brand will attract business.

“What we are bringing to Pakistan is our brand and more than that, the experience of our brand around the world,” Abdellatif said.

Uber usually uses credit cards or other electronic payment methods to charge customers but the company plans to develop new products and payment solutions for Pakistan, where credit cards are much rarer than Internet connections.

The safety of both passengers and drivers will also be a major challenge in a country with high crime rates and an intractable Taliban insurgency.

In neighboring India, the government temporarily banned Uber after an Uber driver was accused of rape.

The company says all Pakistan drivers will go through a rigorous screening process and background checks, while the app itself will send riders the driver's name, photo and car license plate and allow them to share their route with family or friends.

“In some markets, we've worked with local authorities to integrate additional safety measures,” Abdellatif said.

“We'll explore all options in Pakistan to ensure riders and drivers have the smoothest and safest Uber experience possible.”

Riaz Haq said...

Last time I checked AirBnB.com had 93 rental listings in Pakistan.

Rents ranged from as low as $17 a night to over $250 a night.

Average rent $60 per night.

https://www.airbnb.com/s/Pakistan

Majumdar said...

Prof sb,

I have two somewhat disturbing pieces of news for you.

India's Ease of Doing Business Ranking has improved by 12 notches from 142 in 2014 to 130 in 2015. This is being attributed to Modi magic. Pakiland meanwhile has fallen 10 notches from 128 in 2014 to 138 in 2015.

On another rating the Tourism and Travel Competitiveness Index, India has improved by 13 notches from 65 to 52. Pakiland has deteriorated 3 notches from 122 to 125 in the same period.

Regards

Riaz Haq said...

UAE Sheikh Al-Nahyan invests $5.4 million in #Pakistan-based Mobile Payments start-up Inov8 http://tribune.com.pk/story/981926/dubai-sheikh-invests-5-4-million-in-pakistan-based-start-up/ …

A Sheikh from the UAE has invested $5.4 million in Pakistan’s fastest-growing mobile payments company, Inov8 Limited.

His Highness Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, is the sole investor in the company’s Series A round, investing $5.4 million in the company which has achieved a valuation in excess of $100 million.

“I have invested in multiple mobile payments and commerce initiatives, and I find the depth of the management, the product platform, and the vision of the founders to be the best I have come across. I look forward to being an integral part of their success story,” Al Nahayan said.

Inov8 Limited is the region’s fastest growing mobile payments company and a dominant player in Pakistan’s market. With its award winning products and services, the company is set to expand to Africa and the Middle East.

“Sheikh Al Nahayan is an avid investor in the industry and understands it quite well,” CEO and co-Founder of the company, Hasnain A Sheikh said while speaking to The Express Tribune, adding that “we are in a strong partnership with Wateen Telecom (owned by Al Nahayan) which is how the investment came about.”

“This round of funding is testament to the massive upsurge in the demand for Inov8 products and services across the region, which has been phenomenal over the last 18 months,” he said.

Meanwhile, co-founder and president, Bashir Sheikh said,”We will be utilising our funds for our growth across the Middle East and Africa region with an expectation to raise a much larger Series B round in the near future. We will be looking to grow organically and via acquisition, for businesses, products and teams.”

ommenting on the future goals of the company, Hasnain said there is one simple goal, adding that “the company aims to become the number one mobile payments company in the world by 2020.”

“Inov8 has been working to grow the mobile payments industry in Pakistan since 2004. Today we have one of the largest offerings of products and services as well as one of the biggest client portfolios in the region,” he said earlier.

With Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak being the sole investor in the company, Inov8′s headquarters have moved to the UAE, while maintaining some of its presence in the UK.

The region’s leading mobile commerce and payments provider has partnered with a leading aggregator operating in North America and the region, Monami, to offer internet payments in Pakistan. The funding received, along with the post money valuation should pave way for further investment in the country’s burgeoning technology industry.

This is the first time that leading names including Google Play Store, Apple, AppStore, iTunes and Skype, among 50 others, are being made available locally to Pakistani consumers; under this large portfolio of investments.

Riaz Haq said...

‘Mobilink set to bring about digital revolution in #Pakistan’ http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/?p=456153 via @ePakistanToday

After being in the conventional telecom business for over 20 years in the country, Mobilink is now all geared up to reshape the digital revolution in Pakistan by capitalizing its market position through innovative new solutions which it plans to introduce in the next five years, revealed Aamir Ibrahim, Deputy CEO of Mobilink in an interview with a local technology blog.

Considering the prevailing trends, Pakistan is expected to have over 40 million smartphone users by 2018, who on-average will spend around 2.5 hours per day on mobile devices, creating a definitive demand for mobile-first solutions and that is exactly the area that Mobilink is hoping to tap.

Watching HD movies online, paying your cafeteria bills through mobile account by simply tapping the phone, paying tolls through an app configured to deduct money from your bank account on pay-as-you-go basis, registering a complaint with your power company, getting to know about your kids’s class schedule and the syllabus details, checking out the closest gym in the vicinity and getting registered there by paying via credit card, browsing malls online and then making purchases for things ranging from apparels to groceries, staying in touch with your FnF through Skype conference calls, collaborating with your colleagues through your company’s in-house collaboration app and much much more; all is going to be possible soon and that too with few clicks only through a device that you carry all the time, i.e. smartphone.

Aamir Ibrahim is ambitiously working on bringing all these digital and mobile first solutions to Mobilink customers with-in next few years.

Aamir believes that world of digital technology will take us closer to achieving real life progress and this is the only way forward for a developing country like Pakistan to make a mark at a global scale.

He candidly admitted that he will have to start the digitalization of his organization internally prior to anything else, such as making Mobilink a paper-less organization and whole bunch of other things to become a true digital organization or an m-company.

When asked if such digitalization or transformation is going to impact certain policies of company, such as hiring process or how Mobilink deals with its employees, Aamir said that technology helps in bettering the processes and this change will naturally impact our lives internally in a positive way at several levels.

Along side internal work-style shift, Mobilink is working on digitalization of products and services in parallel. For example they are working on e-care solutions to ultimately allow customers to subscribe or unsubscribe to services and products through a single click, or to pay their bills via Mobicash initially and then down the line via credit cards in real time all through a simple mobile app.

Aamir said that these are some modest steps they are taking in order to realize the true dreams of a digital revolution. He aims for Mobilink to become a solution provider, instead of just an infrastructure company, where it will have in-house solutions for all sorts of digital needs.

He revealed that Mobilink is currently working on store-front applications right now, payment gateway and other similar services that are going to be in-house. Additionally, Mobilink is also working on various partnerships to produce products and solutions for end-users ranging from content development to daily life utilities.

Without sharing much details, Aamir informed that there are a lot of interesting things happening at the group level and with-in Pakistan to create a reason for users to be on internet. “We will have to ultimately create internet properties that will solve real-life problems”, said Aamir.

Anonymous said...

My nephew has a taxi in Lahore to take care of his family. This will not be good.

Ed said...

Uber's not the only taxi company starting in Pakistan!! http://bit.ly/1NjZjMs

Riaz Haq said...

Ed: "Uber's not the only taxi company starting in Pakistan!! http://bit.ly/1NjZjMs "

Agreed. Uber entry just validates the Pakistan market for taxi-hailing apps

Riaz Haq said...

Anon: "My nephew has a taxi in Lahore to take care of his family. This will not be good."

Your nephew in Lahore is not alone.

Uber is disrupting the traditional taxi business and a lot of traditional taxi drivers are up in arms in major cities across the world.

But Uber is opening opportunities for many people who want to use their private cars as taxis part-time to generate extra income for themselves and their families.

Read the following Uber ad in US:

WHO WE ARE:

Drive with Uber and make money while transporting people get around town in your own car. Uber is a smartphone app that connects drivers with riders with the tap of a button. You can earn anywhere from $20-35/hour in fares, and $1200+/week – more than any ridesharing platform around.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE: Part–time, full–time. Work on your own schedule.
MAKE GOOD MONEY : Make over $20-35/hour and over $1200/week.
RELIABILITY: Want to drive full-time? We have the volume to keep you busy.
REGULAR PAYMENTS: Get checks deposited into your bank account weekly.
REQUIREMENTS:

You’re at least 21 years old (Atlanta, SF, LA, Dallas, Chicago & Boston). 23+ in other cities!
Have a 4-door vehicle, 2005 or newer
Have a driver’s license and insurance
A great personality and some entrepreneurial spirit!
WHY DRIVE WITH UBER?

When you partner with Uber, we’ve got your back. We’re always working to provide you with a growing network of riders, better tools, and a secure, stable way to make a living.

WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE A CAR, OR HAVE ONE THAT’S TOO OLD?

Want to get a new car to use with Uber? We can help connect you to companies who will offer you special rates available to virtually any driver. Once you create a partner account, click “Special Offers” on the dashboard to find info about our vehicle financing. You could be in a brand new car within a week, regardless of credit history!

WHAT YOU DO:

Uber is looking for driver partners who know their way around town and can get our community of riders around safely and quickly. You’ll need a clean driving record and have to be good with people and have a car that is newer than 10 years old. We’ll connect you with our network of riders. Pick them up, get them wherever they’re going, get your fares. It’s that simple. It’s not required, but if you have previous employment experience as a delivery driver (UPS/Fedex/USPS/CDL), courier, taxi driver, professional driver, chauffeur, limo driver, shuttle driver, van driver, route driver, security guard, valet, warehouse associate, truck driver, lyft or sidecar driver, dispatch– that’s a plus. A great opportunity for full-time delivery, professional/taxi drivers, warehouse, or regional drivers who are looking to work on their own schedule.


https://newsroom.uber.com/drive-with-uber-earn-cash-with-your-car-6/

Riaz Haq said...

#Netflix launched in 129 countries, including #Pakistan #CES2016 #ReedHastings http://www.theasian.asia/archives/93449

Netflix, the world’s leading video-streaming network, announced the launch of its services in Pakistan and 129 other countries on Wednesday.

The Netflix website offers users the services starting at $7.99 a month, with a free month offer.

“Today you are witnessing the birth of a new global Internet TV network,” said Co-founder and Chief Executive Reed Hastings during a Consumer Electronics Show keynote in Las Vegas.

“With this launch, consumers around the world – from Singapore to St. Petersburg, from San Francisco to Sao Paulo – will be able to enjoy TV shows and movies simultaneously — no more waiting. With the help of the Internet, we are putting power in consumers’ hands to watch whenever, wherever and on whatever device.”

Shares of the company rose as much as 8.5 percent to $116.85, their highest one-day gain in more than four months.

However, all shows will not be available immediately to some Netflix fans.

“We’re moving as quickly as we can to have global availability of all the content on Netflix,” Hastings said at a press conference after the keynote address.

India, Nigeria, Russia and Saudi Arabia were among the major countries where the service was launched while the US government restrictions mean it will not be available in Crime, North Korean and Syria.

Netflix, whose services were available in more than 60 countries before Wednesday’s launch, had previously said it aimed to reach 200 countries by the end of 2016.

Riaz Haq said...

#Uber launches in #Lahore, #Pakistan. Future plans to exapand to #Karachi, #Islamabad http://cnnmon.ie/1OPS7mi via CNNMoney

The ridehailing behemoth announced Wednesday that it is now servicing Lahore, Pakistan's second largest city.
Customers can now hail UberGo -- which lets riders pay with cash or the typical in-app credit card option.
"Lahore is our first city globally to have launched cash right from the beginning," said Shaden Abdellatif, an Uber spokeswoman for the Middle East, Africa and Pakistan.
Abdellatif said that while smartphone penetration in the city is high, credit card usage is low. That's just one of the ways that Uber is tailoring its service to fit the lifestyles of locals.
The most popular means of transportation in Lahore today are rickshaws, so Abdellatif said Uber saw a big opportunity. (There is one other competitor in Lahore: Careem, a startup based in Dubai.)
"It's a huge city. There are several universities and a lot of people commuting every day," said Abdellatif.
Related: Uber competitor Juno says its drivers will own the company
Uber has added certain protections in Lahore, including requiring social referral certificates, which are validated by the government. The referrals must come from a non-blood relative, typically a previous employer, who vouches for the driver. Abdellatif said this is a common requirement for service industry workers in Pakistan.
Additionally, Uber will require its drivers undergo anti-sexual harassment training as part of its onboarding process. That's something Uber also requires in Cairo, another market where reported harassment is high.
The minimum fare will be the equivalent of $1.50 -- and customers will likely be riding in Suzuki Swifts, Toyota Viz, Toyota Corollas or Honda Civics, according to Uber. There are already hundreds of drivers signed, who Uber said are a mix of professional drivers and students.
From Thursday to Sunday, UberGo will be footing the bill for rides, so residents can get accustomed to the service.

Riaz Haq said...

Uber Technologies Inc. launched its ride-hailing app in Pakistan on Thursday, as part of the company’s $250 million investment push that also includes expanding into the Middle East and North Africa.

The San Francisco-based company will initially offer its service in the eastern city of Lahore, Pakistan’s second-largest city with an estimated population of 10 million. The South Asian nation is the 69th market for Uber, which was valued at over $60 billion after a funding round in December.

Uber said the process to get approval from Pakistani authorities was smooth. “We have been welcomed with open arms by the government of Punjab and the regulators in Lahore, who see the need for Uber,” said Shaden Abdellatif, a spokeswoman for the company.

The ride-hailing app’s reception in Lahore, capital of the country’s Punjab province, is in contrast with Uber’s experience in neighboring India, where it has faced regulatory hurdles including a ban on its services in the capital Delhi.

Some companies offer on-call cab services in Lahore, but their impact has been limited. Uber will have competitors like Dubai-based Careem, which also offers services through a smartphone app.

Considering the security situation in Pakistan, Uber said it has built-in extra layers of screening into the driver selection process. In addition to personnel and car identification documents, potential drivers must provide a police verification certificate and a character certificate from a referrer. The company said it wants to provide women a safe and comfortable experience: drivers will have to attend a mandatory seminar on sexual harassment.

Last year, a court in Delhi sentenced a driver to life imprisonment for the rape of a woman in a car hired through the Uber app. The company said it had strengthened background checks and safety measures for customers after the attack.

Low Internet penetration and limited credit card use present challenges in Pakistan. Out of 128 million cellphone users, however, the number of users with 3G or high-speed 4G mobile Internet nearly doubled from June 2015 to January 2016, from 13.5 million to 24.7 million, according to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority.

Uber will allow users to pay cash as well as the usual electronic payments through the app.

“In Pakistan, we knew right away that in order to reach as many people [as possible] … cash was pretty much the way to go,” said Ms. Abdellatif.

Uber’s service in Lahore will have a base rate of 100 rupees, just under $1. It will charge 13.7 rupees (13 cents) a kilometer (0.62 miles) and 3.7 rupees (3 cents) a minute. Uber said its prices are low and comparable with the cost of a trip in a three-wheeler rickshaw, a common mode of transport in Lahore.

The company said it will consider expansion to other cities in Pakistan depending on its experience in Lahore.

http://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2016/03/03/uber-launches-in-pakistan/

Riaz Haq said...

#Uber’s charges in #Lahore: Base rate of Rs. 100 ( under $1), then Rs. 13.7 (13 cents) a km (0.62 miles) and Rs. 3.7 (3 cents) a minute @WSJ


http://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2016/03/03/uber-launches-in-pakistan/

Riaz Haq said...

Share of #smartphones in devices imports in #Pakistan jumps to 30% in 2016 from 7% in 2012. #3G #4G

http://www.brecorder.com/pakistan/business-a-economy/292097-share-of-smartphones-in-devices-import-touches-30pc-mark.html

Smartphones have registered around 30 percent share in overall cellular mobile devices imported in the country during last year which was only 7 percent in 2012.

In next two years, smartphones are expected to cross 55% of mobile phone imports in Pakistan as their adoption is expected to grow further due to expanding 3G and 4G networks.

A report issued by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) revealed that smartphone has become a major source for innovation and new age of enhanced mobile phone use in personal life.

With introduction of larger screen-sizes, consumers are finding smartphones a convenient way to complete many activities what they used to do manually or through desktops.

Therefore, larger screen phones are an accelerator for increasing adoption o smartphone.

Companies are developing their mobile websites, which will further enhance consumer experience on smartphones.

Greater functionality, rich features and enhanced interfaces make the consumer experience on smartphones much more attractive than the features available on a desktop.

The report said share of internet activities through smartphones will grow in near future.Smartphones are more convenient to use and the younger generation has quickly adapted to use of smartphones.

The fall in smartphone prices and mobile data cost has also increased the adoption of smartphones in developing countries.

According to GSMA Intelligence data forecast, global smartphone adoption is expected to increase massively in coming years particularly in developing markets.Smartphone penetration in Asia- Pacific region has reached around 40 % in 2014, and forecast is that this will rise to 65 % by 2020.

Similarly, worldwide smartphone penetration was 50%, which is expected to increase to over 73% by 2020.

Availability of next generation mobile services after the auction of 3G and 4G spectrum in Pakistan in April 2014 has rapidly increased the adoption of smartphone in the society.During 2015, 123 percent increase in smartphone shipment to Pakistan.

Cellular mobile operators have also collaborated with smartphone manufacturers to promote smartphone usage in Pakistan.Companies have also started developing mobile apps and mobile websites keeping in view the fast adoption of smartphones in the country, which will increase the smartphone usage in future.

Riaz Haq said...

#Uber #Pakistan’s top driver made Rs 130,000 in a month in #Lahore. Average driver earning Rs 100K pm http://www.businessinsider.in/Uber-Pakistans-top-driver-made-Rs-130000-in-just-30-days/articleshow/52110066.cms … via @bi_india

Last month, Uber, one of the most popular taxi-hailing apps officially launched its services in Pakistan at Rs 13.7 per km. While the base-fare remained at Rs 100, the company has kept the per-minute charges at Rs 3.7.

As of the moment, the Uber services can be availed all over Lahore and the company intends to make them available in Karachi and Islamabad over the next few months.

While, Pakistanis in general have taken to Uber in a big way already, however they're not the only one reaping benefits of the company's expansion in the country.

Word is, Uber Pakistan's drivers are bringing home massive earnings.

According to figures that were made public last week, these drivers have earned an average monthly income of Rs 100,000 in this short period.

Additionally, Umair Saif, the renowned Pakistani entrepreneur and scientist cliamed that the top Uber Pakistan driver took home a whopping Rs 130,000.

All this in just a month.

He also tweeted a map of all the trips that Uber made in its first month in Lahore.

An Uber spokesperson confirmed the fact, saying "There is a driver who successfully maxed out our income charts by making around Rs 130,000 in only 30 days, which is impressive."

One reason of their high earnings could be the fact that at the moment Uber has a relatively less number of cabs plying in the city- and as has been noticed, the demand for an Uber is unbearably high. This trend could well wear drown once Uber increases its fleet in Lahore.

Presently, Uber has started out with 100 drivers/cabs in Lahore and is offering its UberGo vehicles in Pakistan which include Suzuki Swifts, Toyota Vitz, Toyota Corollas and Honda Civic among others. There is also the economical Uber Pool that allows two or more people to share a ride and split the fare.

The company aims to offer luxurious cars under UberBlack and UberLUX later.

Riaz Haq said...

#Pakistan’s first homemade #Digital Mapping Solution to be launched. #Telenor

http://www.brecorder.com/pakistan/business-a-economy/296973-pakistan%E2%80%99s-first-homemade-digital-mapping-solution-to-be-launched.html

Telenor Pakistan and TPL Trakker have joined hands to introduce Pakistan’s first homemade digital mapping solution.

According to local media reports, a Memorendum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the two tech firms, under which TPL Maps has been launched. “TPL Maps has been created using state of the art technology that will not only provide real time intelligent routing but also give users access to live traffic updates, turn-by-turn navigation and smart search options,” said the app description on Telenor Apps.

The app features smart search option that has over 1.35 million Points of Interests (POIs) which allows users to reach their desired destination by choosing the POIs from across Pakistan. The homemade TPL Maps covers over 500 cities and 800,000 distinct housing addresses, which are spread over a road network of 280,000 km.

Whereas, the Pakistani made TPL Maps also includes 2D models of over 55,000 POIs which helps users identify and reach their desired location in the shortest time period possible.

“We have developed Pakistan’s first comprehensive digital mapping solution via Pakistani talent and resources because we believe a localize, in depth mapping solution for Pakistan will define the future of digital payments, ecommerce, 3G/ 4G and social networking activities. TPL Maps, equipped with smart features, will offer services that will change the future of consumer behavior, navigation, distribution process management, advertising and many other areas alongside navigation and maps related services,” said Ali Jameel, CEO TPLTrakker.

The maps app allows any smart phone carrier to choose the best route on the back of latest navigation technology and thorough traffic information, which provides accurate, real-time traffic information from over 200,000 GPS equipped vehicles.

Riaz Haq said...

#Uber taxi hailing service rides into #Karachi, #Pakistan this week after successful launch in #Lahore http://bloom.bg/2bea0jd via @markets

Uber Technologies Inc. is set to start its ride-hailing service in Karachi this week as the security situation in Pakistan’s largest city improves.
The San Francisco-based company will offer both cash and electronic methods of payment and will operate in areas with very few incidents of violence such as Clifton, Saddar Town and Korangi, according to Zohair Yousafi, who’s spearheading Uber’s expansion in Pakistan. The company started in Pakistan’s Lahore city earlier this year.
“Pakistan has been really incredible,” Yousafi said in an interview on Tuesday. “Lahore has been one of the fastest growing launch cities in the region’s history. The potential Karachi brings just because of its massive population is huge.”
The on-demand ride service joins Dubai-based Careem in tapping demand in a city that has a population equivalent to that of Australia, and is recovering from decades of sectarian violence, bombings and kidnappings. Bomb attacks dropped 80 percent last year after peaking in 2013, according to the South Asia Terrorism Portal.
“Three to four years ago they wouldn’t have even thought of Karachi but things are better now,” Saad bin Ahmed, chief executive officer of Karachi-based Alternate Research, said by phone. “Pakistan has an ever-growing urban population with rising income level. It’s about global presence for Uber.”
Karachi is the world’s seventh-most populous city, according to Demographia World Urban Areas. Uber attracted 65,000 riders and about 1,000 active drivers in Lahore in the second half of July, according to data provided by Uber.

Riaz Haq said...

#Uber in #Pakistan: Can sharing economy work? high cost of car ownership & low labor cost?#India http://theconversation.com/uber-in-pakistan-a-lesson-in-the-flaws-of-the-sharing-economy-67359 … via @ConversationUK

The arrival of ride-sharing app Uber can reveal much about a country’s pressure points and preoccupations. Since launching in Pakistan earlier this year, the high costs of car ownership and low cost of wages have thrown up unexpected problems for the company, offering captivating insights into the prevailing political economy and the role of capital owners in a sharing economy. It is not solo drivers, but those with wealth to hand who have seen Uber as an investment opportunity, and in doing so they have created a distorted incentive system which damages service quality.

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In order to offer drivers some protection against a lack of rides, Uber would pay 270 Pakistani rupees an hour, about £2.10, as compensation. Car rental companies and dealerships were quick to respond. They identified blind spots on Uber’s map and placed all their available cars there so they could earn money while parked up. Others, enticed by good demand, rented cars and hired drivers to pick up passengers. Fleet ownership is endorsed by Uber but fleet driver compensation appears to be left to the discretion of the car’s owner.

This represented a shift from the standard model of the service that customers are used to in the west, where the owner of the car and the driver are the same person. This is so in markets with relatively high rates of car ownership where financing is easily available from banks or from Uber itself. In other markets fleet owners tend to charge drivers a monthly rental but let them retain, at least most of, their earnings. In Pakistan, a large number of the drivers were employees of the owner, and not owners themselves, working for fixed salaries rather than a percentage of earnings. This appeared to be the cause of a distorted incentive system.

Because the drivers were on a fixed salary, they earned the same regardless of whether they provided a service or not. Many drivers frequently cancelled rides and harassed customers; often making them cancel rides. This same trend has been the case in India as well. At least in the immediate term, their own monthly compensation would remain unaffected.

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The third trend is growing concentration of ownership in the sharing economy. Airbnb data for New York indicates the much of the company’s revenue comes from people with multiple listings. This weakens the notion that there is a culture of “sharing” rather than one of rentierism which drives such business. At the core of this is the price of property, which limits ownership. Uber seems to be following the same trend in Pakistan where diminutive purchasing power makes car ownership an elusive dream for most.

Riaz Haq said...

#Pakistan #PTCL and #Netflix to collborate to improve streaming service with local caching servers http://bit.ly/2fbYE0W via @techjuicepk

PTCL becomes the first Telecommunication operator in Pakistan to sign a partnership agreement with Netflix, the global internet television network for the Pakistan market. After this agreement, PTCL and Netflix will use their respective resources for mutual benefit, utilizing and maximizing the viewing experience and penetration of Netflix services in Pakistan. This agreement will serve as a way forward for both PTCL and Netflix to provide digital content fans in Pakistan with Netflix streaming. PTCL will support and promote original Netflix content in Pakistan.

PTCL became the only service provider in Pakistan with advanced caching servers and technical pairing with Netflix to offer the superior viewing experience since Netflix’s global launch in January 2016.

Commenting on the agreement, PTCL’s Chief Commercial Officer, Adnan Shahid said, “Digital entertainment is PTCL’s key priority and our partnership with Netflix is another step in this direction. We look forward to working with Netflix to offer new and exciting services including world class Netflix original series and movies in Pakistan.”

Tony Zameczkowski, Vice President, Business Development for Asia at Netflix said, “We are excited to partner with PTCL in Pakistan and are looking forward to providing high-quality entertainment content for the Pakistani consumers.”

Netflix is the world’s leading Internet television network with over 86 million members in over 190 countries enjoying more than 125 million hours of TV shows and movies per day, including original series, documentaries and feature films. Netflix members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on nearly any Internet-connected screen and they can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.

PTCL is the largest information communication technology and entertainment service provider in Pakistan, touching millions of lives through its broadband and digital television services. Always striving to achieve customer satisfaction, PTCL has entered the collaboration with Netflix to provide its customers high-quality streaming content.

Riaz Haq said...

#Dubai-based #Careem leaves #Uber in the dust in #Pakistan

http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/dubai-based-careem-leaves-uber-in-the-dust-in-pakistan-116110700619_1.html

Uber says Pakistan is one of its fastest growing global markets and Careem asserts that its local operations have grown at an average rate of 50 per cent month-on-month.

Word on the street is that Careem is comfortably beating Uber, both in terms of active riders as well as cars plying the roads. The view is consistent with data from SimilarWeb, which says Careem is the larger company in Pakistan based on app installs.

Uber is priced anywhere between 25 to 30 per cent cheaper than Careem. If the Middle Eastern challenger is indeed ahead, it shows that Pakistan’s commuters want a premium experience and aren’t hesitant about paying slightly more for it.

Riaz Haq said...

90% of popultion in #Pakistan to have #3G, while 80% to have #4G access by 2020: GSMA #Broadband https://propakistani.pk/?p=117786 via @ProPakistaniPK

The Global System Mobile Association (GSMA) has estimated that 90% of Pakistani population will have access to 3G networks while 80% population will have access to 4G services by 2020.

Following heavy investments, 3G coverage in Pakistan — from all operators combined — reached 65% of population by the end of 2015, while it stretched to just under 75% of the Pakistani population by mid-2016, said the report that’s available with ProPakistani.

Key findings of report are:

3G coverage reached 75% of Pakistani population by mid-2016
4G coverage reached 18% of Pakistani population by mid-2016
There were 90 million unique subscribers in Pakistan by mid-2016, accounting for 47% of the population.
29% of Pakistani population use mobile internet (2G, 3G or 4G)
Mobile broadband uptake has been slow, mainly due to the fact that many citizens either cannot afford or do not know how to use the devices and services that deliver mobile broadband.
Pakistan still ranks low (as compared to neighbors) on enablers of mobile internet connectivity: infrastructure, affordability, consumer readiness and content
With time, Mobile broadband (3G and 4G) users in Pakistan are estimated to grow to 60 million by 2020
With continued investment – it is estimated that investments for 3G network expansion will reach $2.8 billion over the next four years (not including any additional spectrum costs) – and it will enable around 90% of the population with 3G access by 2020, said the report.

With only two operators, 4G rollout has expanded rather slowly and reached just 18% of the population by mid-2016. However, with Mobilink acquiring Warid and Telenor beginning 4G rollout in August 2016, 4G coverage will rapidly increase to 80% of the population by 2020.

Pakistan has an emerging digital industry, with mobile penetration and internet usage lower than many of its regional and economic peers. By mid-2016, there were 90 million unique subscribers in Pakistan, accounting for 47% of the population.

This is among the lowest penetration levels in South Asia, ahead of only India and Afghanistan. Further, less than 30% are users of the mobile internet (2G, 3G or 4G), ahead of only Afghanistan.

The report states that Pakistan has an emerging mobile industry: there are approximately 90 million unique subscribers in the country, accounting for 47% of the population. However, the enablers of mobile internet connectivity: infrastructure, affordability, consumer readiness and content, all rank low in Pakistan relative to its neighbors.

These enablers are critical to creating the right conditions of supply and demand for mobile internet connectivity to flourish. Pakistan therefore has one of the lowest penetration rates in South Asia, maintained in the report.