ISLAMABAD, June 4 (INP): A survey conducted by Ipsos, the world’s third-largest market research company, has recognized Zong 4G under CMPak (China Mobile Pakistan) as one of the ten most supportive companies in fight against COVID-19. The survey revealed that many Pakistanis recognize CMPak’s CSR Strategy as highly responsive, pertinent and timely to mitigate the pandemic’s adverse economic fallout and with the most supportive roles during the country’s ongoing fight against the pandemic. As an operator that has always stood with Pakistan, with the outbreak of this pandemic, CMPak and its ever-dedicated employee force stepped forward to ensure the provision of seamless services for both individual and business customers. In response to pandemic COVID-19, CMPak has announced a comprehensive plan to maintain network services, assist government authorities, facilitate customers and ensure that the economy continues functioning digitally.

The service packages include free unlimited data and voice connectivity to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA); free SMSes, Mobile Broadband along with CMPak bolt devices to the provincial Governments; access to websites, CMPak’s website, online recharge service and My Zong App totally for free; and a free-of-charge connection to COVID-19 government helplines and hospitals. The comprehensive service packages adopted by CMPak in the challenging time take concerns of both the government and common people, reflecting its capabilities to handling emergencies efficiently and its pursuit of humanistic morals. On top of rendering high-efficient telecommunication services, CMPak has already partnered with Pakistan’s Federal Government, Provincial Governments, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), National Institute of Health (NIH), Indus Hospital. Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) for relief activities across the country. CMPak, in collaboration with PRCS, has launched a mass awareness campaign while also strengthening the PRCS hospitals to treat more COVID patients. In collaboration with NDMA, CMPak has provided preventive gear for the front-line workers, which is dire need in current times. In addition, Zong has donated telecommunication products and medical supplies to the provincial governments of Pakistan to ensure the smooth operation of critical services and health facilities in the country.

To alleviate the acute shortage of masks in Pakistan and protect the front-line workers from the threat of Coronavirus, Zong has procured 16,000 N95 surgical masks from China, which will further be donated to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) for distribution. Earlier in April, CMPak joined hands with UNICEF to disseminate accurate and reliable information on the pandemic COVID-19, to its over 37 Million customers, through multiple platforms and channels, including CMPak’s official page of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Website and MyZong App.

To amplify this effort, CMPak has also set up a Coronavirus prevention hotline of “4343” to provide people with medical advice and emergency aid. Or People can acquire knowledge of daily prevention measures through SMS and ring back tone from Zong. Responding to the Ehasas (care) programme launched by Prime Minster Imran Khan, CMPak opened a free message portal for the government to raise donations from its users. At the same time, Zong mobilized all its employees to contribute a part of their salary to the relief fund, and a total of Rs. 7 million has been donated to help the poor inflicted by the pandemic. CMPak’s dedication to the Company Social Responsibility (CSR) has been consistent. It has been working relentlessly to address the needs of the marginalized members by fostering education and health services, empowering team members, championing human rights and promoting better responsibility for the social developments. In the technology sector, CMPak has made accelerated progress towards 5G testing in Pakistan. In August 2019, CMPak became the first company to successfully test 5G services in Pakistan.

In September 2019, Zong opened the doors for the public to provide an immersive experience of the state-of-the-art 5G connectivity, at Pakistan largest IT and Telecom extravaganza, ITCN 2019 held in Karachi. These high standards of performance are testified by the service award of “No.1 Operator in voice and data services” by the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority as well laurels of Leadership in Innovation and Best 4G Network from Consumer Association of Pakistan. CMPak also became the first operator to successfully connect the first video call of South Asia on a 5G network, earlier this year. Currently, in accordance to 5G trial framework issued by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), CMPak also deployed three 5G sites in Islamabad for testing and is in talks with Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for expanding the trial to major cities of Islamabad. CMPak (China Mobile Pakistan) is wholly owned subsidiary of the world's largest mobile network operator, China Mobile Communications Corporation (CMCC), which is listed on the NYSE and the Hong Kong stock exchanges. The pioneering overseas set up of China Mobile came through the acquisition of a license from Millicom to operate a GSM network in Pakistan. China Mobile Pakistan operates under the brand name “Zong 4G”.

Taken over in 2007 with a market share of only 2%, Zong 4G has seen exponential growth in the last few years to increase it by 10 folds to more than 23%. Currently, CMPak engages in the provision of cellular mobile voice and data services to the Pakistani market through 2G, 3G and 4G technologies. With over 14000 4G towers China Mobile Pakistan has the widest and largest 4G network of the country.