Universal Service Fund (USF) and Ufone today entered into a Rs. 3.73 Billion contract for provision of Mobile Broadband Internet/ 3G services in Khuzdar and Chagai areas of Balochistan.
Under the contract, Ufone will provide 3G services to under-developed areas of above mentioned districts.
In this connection, a signing ceremony of USF with Ufone was held at Ministry of IT and Telecom.
Faisal Sattar, CEO – USF signed contracts with Rainer Rathgeber, CEO of Ufone.
Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs, Statistics and Privatization, Muhammad Ishaq Dar was the Chief Guest at the occasion and he was accompanied by Minister for IT & Telecom, Anusha Rahman.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Signing between USF and NTC was also held at the event with regards to establishment of telecentres.
Telecenters will be providing e-services, distance learning and create employment opportunities, among various other benefits like bridging the digital divide.
Speaking at the occasion the Finance Minister congratulated Universal Services Fund, Ufone and NTC to sign the agreements. He appreciated the private sector for coming forward and joining hands with government.
The Minister said that financial and technical inclusion of the deprived and poor areas of Pakistan is government’s policy. These projects will benefit hundred thousands deserving people in less developed areas. The Minister said that government takes initiative for projects that are commercially non-viable. The purpose is to bring un-served areas in the mainstream.
He said that policies of the present government led to macro-economic stability which resulted increase in DFI in diverse sectors. Because of these policies Pakistan become visible on world map. From transportation to telecommunication new projects are materialized and are benefitting people in areas that are not viable for commercial projects.
He also appreciated NTS for allocating 30 locations for telecom centres. The Minister said that new locations will be acquired to spread telecom services in far flung areas of Pakistan.
The Minister IT, said that the Broadband for Sustainable Development projects will take state of the art 3G Mobile Broadband service to far-flung areas at a rapid pace and in almost parity with urban areas of the country. She said that these contracts are part of overall policy decision of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for providing maximum facilitation to remote areas of the country. She informed that a population of around 302,048 in Khuzdar and 147,057 in Chagai will benefit from these projects and around 116 new BTS towers will also be installed.
It is noteworthy to mention here that through these Broadband for Sustainable Development Projects, districts of Nal, Khuzdar, Aaranji, Wadh, Saroona, Mula, Ornach, Zaehri and Karkh in Khuzdar lot and districts of Dal Bandin, Taftan and Mashkhel in Chagai lot will be served.
Balochistan walo k naseeb mey aya bhi toh UFONE ………………….. :/
RIP Balochistan Broadband.
They need to bring back their nightly 5GB package to cater the needs of data hungry customers.
Agreed
enoy 50kB/s speed Balochistan walo
goes for Ufone:
“doobtay ko tinkay ka sahara”
Ufone and PTCL both are selling ZONG or any other Chinese company is soon going to acquire both companies.