Govt expands mobile broadband services in Pakistan

Board of Directors of Universal Service Fund Company (USF Co) and Ministry of Information Technology have approved the launch of five New Generation Broadband Sustainable Development Program (NG-BSD). Pakistan has been excelling in providing 3G/4G services to rural and semi-urban areas. The broadband services are now enhancing day by day since the e-commerce market is on the rise as well more people are using mobile banking services.

The meeting also included the smaller tehsils of Pakistan such as Hyderabad, Bahawalpur, Dadu, Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan districts to be formally added to the expansion project of “NG-BSD”. As the overwhelming majority of Pakistan’s population is living in rural areas, this project will cover approximately 8 million, around 4% of the total population of Pakistan. With the project, the internet speed will also enhance as well as the problem of internet disconnection will also be solved.

The meeting was governed by Minister of State of IT and Telecom Anusha Rahman. While talking with the members of the meeting, she said;

“With the proliferation of enabling apps and digital platforms, user behavior has shifted from voice and data to being app-centric, which requires networks to deliver seamless coverage with an optimum end to end performance,”

The CEO and secretary to the board at USF, Haris Mehmood also added,

“There is demand for advanced mobile internet service from these areas,”

The board of USF Corporation also announced to approve the establishment of Computer Labs for people with disabilities at National Library of Pakistan as well as six special Education Centers of CADD.

Pakistan has been exponentially growing in broadband services since the spectrum auction was held in 2014. According to the latest data released by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), by the end of February 2018, mobile broadband users have reached 51.2 million, bringing the total broadband base to 53.6 million.