Gilgit-Baltistan and AJK to get 3G & 4G services by Feb 2018

Pakistan Telecommunications Authorities (PTA) in a recent move, to make Pakistan digitally equipped state with telecom services, has planned to bring 3G & 4G services in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit Baltistan (G-B). These services are expected to be implemented by February 2018.

PTA officials said that the availability of 3G/4G services in such distant areas will ultimately lead Pakistan towards socio-economic development. The installation of these services will also be helpful for the inhabitants living near CPEC routes in AJK and G-B.

To expedite the process of the auction for Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS), PTA is looking forward to hiring a consultancy firm to overview the base price and design of the auction process.

Also Read: Zong 3G/4G Internet Packages

The 3G/4G users of Pakistan have risen up to 44.4 million and increasing rapidly. With the advent of these services in AJK and G-B, we will be seeing a fair increase in the number of 3G/4G users, as people of these regions are eager beavers to connect to the world digitally.

“NGMS in these areas will bring an investment of more than $100 million over the next two to three years,” reveals Parvez Iftikhar an IT expert.

Local tourism and employment will be boosted with the advent of 3G/4G services in AJK and G-B, as these areas are the hub for tourists.

According to the policy directives of PTA, they will tend to hire a local consultant who will consult with cellular service providers of Pakistan and relevant authorities of AJK and G-B to suggest a base price after observing telecom markets of these regions.

Authorities of AJK and G-B have approved the policy for introducing 3G/4G services and asked PTA to make required arrangements. Finding consultants for this job is quite difficult and PTA is willing to launch services before February in any case.