Rs77.8b connectivity projects planned

USF projects aim to provide internet, telecom access to remote areas

ISLAMABAD:

In a move towards bridging the digital divide in Pakistan, the government has announced plans to complete 83 connectivity projects worth Rs77.8 billion by December 2023. These projects, under the Universal Service Fund (USF), are set to provide internet and telecommunications access to remote and unserved areas across the country.

The primary objective of the USF, according to the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, is to ensure that all citizens of the country have access to digital services. In an era where digitalisation has become crucial for businesses and communities alike, this initiative seeks to empower even the most remote regions of Pakistan.

Under the Next Generation Optic Fibre (NG-OF) Network and Services programme, the USF has already made significant progress. With over 16,000 kilometres of Optic Fibre Cable (OFC) contracted, these efforts are expected to benefit approximately 31.5 million people nationwide. The USF’s dedication to laying fibre optic cables and installing 4G and 3G towers in previously underserved areas is paving the way for digital inclusion on an unprecedented scale.

On another occasion, Caretaker Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Umar Saif, affirmed the government’s commitment to addressing the challenges faced by mobile manufacturers and the IT sector. In a statement posted on the official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Saif outlined the government's topmost priority: ensuring progress and innovation in the IT and Telecom sector.

“The forthcoming months will witness substantial progress in the IT and telecom sector,” Saif stated. He further emphasised the government’s determination to promote the local manufacturing of affordable, high-quality mobile phones within Pakistan.

This move is not only expected to reduce the reliance on imported mobile phones but also curb the outflow of foreign exchange, he said.

Local manufacturing, Saif noted, holds the potential to generate job opportunities at the grassroots level.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 6^th, 2023.

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