PTA and GSMA work together to bring Mobile Coverage to Rural Areas

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) worked together to organize a Capacity Building training course, taking place over one day at PTA headquarters in Islamabad, to help ‘Unlock Rural Mobile Coverage’ in Pakistan. The PTA-GSMA Centre for Excellence conducted the course under their Programme for Regional Regulatory Training which conducts one course per year on the latest ICT and telecom technologies and innovations.

The course was taught by Mr Calum Handforth, a senior insights manager who works on the Connected Society Programme at GSMA. Mr Handforth educated course attendees on strategies developed by Connected Society to bring mobile coverage to rural areas and to improve the already existing mobile networks so that better coverage can be provided. He also introduced innovative models that have been used elsewhere by GSMA and associated them with the rural areas of Pakistan.

The main focus of the event was how the government can work with the telecom industry to provide better access to mobile coverage. Therefore, representatives from major government organizations such as PTA, PEMRA, Cabinet Division, Universal Service Fund (USF) and the Ministry of IT were present at the event.

The PTA is working hard to help the country grow economically as well as socially. PTA Chairman, Nah. General Amir Azeem Bajwa (r) was quoted saying that the course would be a valuable experience for industry professionals and government officials. The course helps to highlight the steps needed to help bring about better opportunities in all parts of the country.