Over 37m Pakistanis connected through telecom projects
Pakistan’s Universal Service Fund (USF) has definitely played its role to expand digital access into the country with the achievement of 37.1 million access provided and 17,200 km of fibre optic cable laid through 161 projects. The words of Shaza Fatima, Minister for IT and Telecommunication, came out at the Girls in ICT for Inclusive Digital Transformation at Islamabad on this occasion of International Girls in ICT Day. The event, organized by USF and Jazz brought together women to discuss the increasing role of women in the digital economy.
Empowering Underserved Communities
The USF is coming up with fibre optic projects for bringing underserved communities online, Fatima pointed out, adding that the projects are improving connectivity but allowing women, freelancers and entrepreneurs to join the digital economy. What helped drive innovation across Pakistan, Fatima said, was that ‘these things are coming online in our underserved communities’.
He also made mention of 4,400 telecom sites deployed nationwide which has greatly improved the country’s connectivity infrastructure. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s government has announced a Rs. 23 billion budget for this year and is stepping up its pledge of pledges further to including digital inclusion.
Strengthening Digital Opportunities for All
Fatima also mentioned how in the past while they had Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif as the leader, 1.2 million laptops were distributed and 4.5 million people were trained on freelancing via the DGSkills Program. “The call of the hour is for all of you, to be mentors, investors, role models and allies in accelerating this momentum,” she said.
Future Developments: New Projects and Increasing Connectivity
Emphasizing USF’s commitment of ‘connecting the unconnected’, Mudassar Naveed, CEO USF reiterated that “no new project was launched during the last two years but a lot of groundwork has been done for future projects.” Each village that goes online is a doorway to global education, jobs and community, said Naveed.
The recent tenders, which USF has issued for 16 new projects including a fibre network connection to cities such as Sialkot, Sanghar, Jhang, Sajawal, and Tando Muhammad Khan, have brought the total value of work it has so far acquired for Google’s initiative to Rs 79 billion. Furthermore, the Next Generation Broadband for Sustainable Development (NG–BSD) projects will cover certain areas viz Badin, Abbottabad, Kalat, Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin and Khuzdar NG-BSD projects being smaller would also extend services to districts like Sargodha, Haripur, Sheikhupura and Mansehra among others.
The aim is to further bridge the digital divide in order to promote inclusivity, with these projects set to bridge the gap between rural and remote areas, and vasts opportunities for education, employment and economic development.
