Islamabad: Minister for Information Technology (IT) and Telecommunication Amin Ul Haque on Thursday stated the government has allocated PKR 6.5 billion funds for high-speed internet projects in southern Punjab, according to news sources.
The projects were contracted by the IT Ministry under the Universal Service Fund (USF). The funds were established and managed by the government, with telecom operators contributing 1.5 %. Six high-speed mobile broadband projects will be launched as part of this programme, as will three optic fibre cable projects. Once completed, the projects will provide the fastest broadband services to 393 communities with a population of more than 850,000 people.
The details of the projects are as follows:
PKR 708 million will be used for providing high-speed broadband services in three districts of Bahawalpur, which includes Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalpur. It was reported that 2.6 million people living in the 846 villages will benefit from it.
PKR 141 million is being utilized for Dera Ghazi (DG) Khan Division, which includes four districts Layyah, Rajanpur, DG Khan, and Muzaffargarh.
PKR 4.47 billion is being spent on three projects that are related to the installation of optical fiber cables. The minister added that 2,000 square kilometres will be connected with optical fiber cables. So far, 25% of work is complete on broadband services projects.
Furthermore, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Quershi stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will give necessary support.
USF Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Haaris Mahmood informed that a memorandum of understanding (MOU) of PKR 154 million was signed with Jazz for the provision of high-speed mobile broadband services in Multan and Khanewal district.
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