M3, M5 motorways to get broadband connectivity
PHOTO: FILE
The government is working relentlessly to provide maximum facilities to the public of Pakistan in order to bring ease in the lives of people, said Federal Minister for Communications Murad Saeed.
Speaking at the contract signing ceremony for provision of high speed mobile broadband services on M3 and M5 motorways on Wednesday, he said the initiative was part of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision of ‘Digital Pakistan’.
Through the Universal Service Fund (USF), the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecom (MoITT) awarded contracts worth nearly Rs300 million to Jazz for providing high speed mobile broadband services on the two motorways.
Saeed further appreciated the Ministry of IT for its efforts aimed at promotion of IT sector exports.
“Government is also taking steps to ensure provision of better internet connectivity particularly in merged areas of Khyber-Pakhtukhwa, southern Balochistan and Punjab,” he said.
Highlighting that the M-Tag had been made mandatory on motorways, the minister hoped that use of technology solutions would boost transparency and improvement.
On the occasion, Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Aminul Haque said that through the M3 project, USF would provide high speed mobile broadband access to 54.92 km of unserved road segment that passed through the districts of Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh and Khanewal.
Read Lack of facilities on motorways questioned
“This will not only enable the commuters on the motorway to communicate but also facilitate the residents of adjoining districts and villages,” he said.
Through the M5 scheme, high speed mobile broadband coverage will be provided to 78.85 km of unserved road segment that passes through the districts of Multan, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Kashmore, Ghotki and Sukkur, he remarked.
Citing figures, the minister noted contracts were awarded for M3 and M5 projects at a cost of Rs140 million and Rs154 million respectively.
He announced the projects would achieve completion in a span of 12 months.
He mentioned that through USF’s Motorways and National Highways program, broadband coverage had been extended to road segments stretching over 1,929 kilometers.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 16th, 2021.
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