Jazz wins 4G spectrum licence for $295m

Dar says investment in IT sector will open new vistas of progress

ISLAMABAD: Investment in the information technology sector due to government's initiatives would open new avenues of progress and development in the country, said Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.

Addressing a ceremony in connection with the award of 4G spectrum licence on Friday, he said the government believed in transparency and good governance for running the day-to-day affairs.



Cellular company Jazz won the third auction for the 4G spectrum licence with payment of $295 million.

Leading multinational companies had acknowledged the conducive business environment in the country, he added.

"Pakistan is moving towards digital and financial inclusiveness that will improve living standards of the common man," Dar said.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication Anusha Rahman said the total price for the licence had been deposited in the government's account.

She said licences for 60 megahertz spectrum had been issued in the last three years, adding the government would start preparation for introducing 5G in the country by 2021.

Rahman expressed the hope that Pakistan would adopt the new technology ahead of all other Asian countries. She said the number of broadband users had increased from 3.7 million to 44 million in the last four years.



Pakistan Telecommunication Authority Chairman Syed Ismail Shah said world communication institutions were acknowledging and appreciating Pakistan's efforts and success in the IT field.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 1^st, 2017.

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