[tmcnet] Universal Service Fund USF has awarded Rs 1.4 billion (us$17.4 million) in contracts to provide broadband services in un-served urban areas of Faisalabad Telecom Region FTR comprising districts of Faisalabad, Jhang, Sargodha, Toba Tek Singh, Khushab, Bhakkar, Mianwali, excluding served city of Faisalabad to PTCL and Wateen Telecom.
Initially 72,500 broadband connections will be provided by PTCL and 16,500 by Wateen Telecom. USF is made up of contributions by telecom service providers of Pakistan.
A ceremony at the IT Ministry marked launch of first ever project of its kind for bringing Broadband to small cities, towns. SEVP (Corporate Development) - PTCL, Sikandar Naqi & General Manager Wateen Telecom Furqan Qureshi signed contracts with CEO USF Parvez Iftikhar.
IT Secretary Hifzur-Rehman said Ministry is striving to accelerate broadband proliferation in the country. USF Programme Broadband will give boost to broadband in 2nd, 3rd tier cities and also help in provision of other services.
He said through USF, Rural Telecom Programme is also being run to provide basic telephony. A program to provide Optic Fiber connectivity to all un-served Tehsils is also being executed. Under Lisbon Consensus adopted at 4th International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication Policy Forum on April 24, 2009, intervention of government for broadband proliferation has been endorsed.
PTA Chairman Dr. Muhammad Yaseen felt operators need to generate more awareness among public on benefits of broadband.
USF CEO Parvez Iftikhar said FTR, has 56 towns, cities of various sizes with numerous potential broadband users like, hospitals, distance learning centres of Open University, Banks, NADRA centres / kiosks, Government Offices, Libraries, Courts, Industries, other institutions, in addition to a population of more than 3 million that could benefit.
UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND PAKISTAN AWARDS BROADBAND CONTRACTS
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