Telenor formally handed 4G licence

IT minister pledges greater broadband penetration by 2020

ISLAMABAD: Technology neutral licence for the 10 MHz-850 MHz frequency spectrum has been handed over to the successful bidder - Telenor Pakistan - on Wednesday, making way for the company to become the third 4G operator in the country.

Minister for IT and Telecommunication Anusha Rahman formally handed over 850 MHz licence to Telenor Pakistan CEO Michal Foley at a ceremony held at the IT Ministry, said a press release.



Rahman stated that Telenor had played a significant role in the sector during the last few years and successfully participated in all three spectrum auctions held in the last twelve years.

Rahman further said that when she became minister broadband penetration was less than 3 per cent but within a short span, mobile broadband had grown to more than 19% and is targeted to cross 38% by 2020. The new licence to Telenor will further bring high speed connectivity and the associated socio economic benefits and opportunities to the Pakistani citizens.



Michael Foley said, “Telenor is committed to supporting Pakistan’s efforts to become a digitally developed nation. Driven by our vision of empowering societies, our success to date has been built on a simple realisation: mobile communication, financial services and internet are not luxury goods for the few - they are for everyone.”

He hailed the Minister for her initiatives towards expanding the overall digital ecosystem in the country.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 28^th, 2016.

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