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By Ariz Riaz :
The National Information Technology Board (NITB) has invited local mobile manufacturers and assemblers to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the supply of 24,000 Android smartphones, as part of a market survey to assess pricing and availability ahead of potential procurement.
The initiative, under the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, is exploratory. Officials clarified that it is not a formal tender but aims to evaluate local product configurations, technical specifications, and pricing trends before any purchase decision.
Key Requirements
NITB requires 24,000 brand-new Android smartphones, all of the same make and model, fully approved by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and ready for immediate use. Each device must come with a minimum one-year official warranty and accessible after-sales support within Pakistan.
Vendors must provide indicative pricing inclusive of taxes for delivery in Islamabad and submit full company credentials, including SECP registration, NTN, and Active Taxpayer List status.
Delivery and Pre-Installation
The EOI specifies a strict delivery schedule: the first 12,000 units must arrive within 12 to 18 hours of purchase order issuance, while the remaining 12,000 units are required within six days.
Selected vendors will also be responsible for preinstalling Government of Pakistan applications on all devices to ensure operational readiness.
Smartphone Specifications
Required devices must run Android 12 or higher, with at least two years of security updates from the OEM. Each phone should have an octa-core 64-bit processor at 1.6 GHz or above, with 6 GB RAM and 128 GB storage, and support for microSD cards preferred.
Displays must measure 6.5 inches or larger with HD+ resolution (720 x 1600) using IPS or PLS LCD technology. Batteries must be 5,000 mAh or higher, supporting at least 10W charging.
Camera requirements include a 10 MP rear sensor and 5 MP front sensor, capable of 1080p video at 30fps. Devices should support Dual SIM, VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.0+, GPS with A-GPS and GLONASS, and required 4G LTE bands (1, 3, 5, 8) along with TDD bands 38 and 40.
Eligibility and Submission
Only locally authorized manufacturers and assemblers with valid PTA Mobile Device Manufacturing authorization are eligible. Firms must demonstrate production capacity, local presence, and the ability to meet warranty and support obligations.
EOIs must be submitted by March 27, 2026, via email or post to NITB. The board emphasized that the exercise carries no financial obligation, serving solely to study market readiness and identify suitable products for potential future procurement.
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