ISLAMABAD: The Universal Service Fund (USF) has approved nine new projects with an estimated cost of Rs13.05 billion to provide high-speed internet and voice services to 5.55 million unserved and underserved residents across 11 districts of Pakistan.
The projects will cover 178 towns/union councils and 753 mauzas nationwide.Under the Next Generation—Broadband Services for Sustainable Development (NGBSD) initiative, six projects will deliver high-speed broadband and voice services to 1,267,225 people across 753 mauzas in seven districts.
Three additional projects will lay 1,428 kilometres of optical fibre cable across 178 towns/union councils in four districts, enabling connectivity for 4,292,639 residents.The new projects received formal approval during the 101st meeting of the USF Board of Directors, chaired by chairperson of the USF Board and Secretary IT and Telecommunication Zarrar Hasham Khan.
The USF board awarded the projects to various service providers, selecting the lowest compliant bidders.Khan stressed the urgent need to expand fibre connectivity for mobile towers and base transceiver stations (BTS) nationwide, urging the USF to lead this effort within its mandate. He emphasised the government’s commitment.
He highlighted the USF’s role in empowering rural communities, asserting that connectivity is a key driver for digital growth and the IT sector. He noted the fund’s support for the IT industry, freelancers and essential health and education services. To date, approximately 39.4 million rural residents have been served or enabled with broadband, voice and fixed-line services through USF projects.
CEO of USF Ch Mudassar Naveed presented the highlights of the new projects to the board, outlining the transparent bidding process and detailing the expected positive impact in the designated areas.
Key projects include: Umar Kot District (Sindh): Rs914.6 million project providing high-speed broadband and voice services to 243,695 residents across 142 mauzas; and Gujranwala and Mandi Bahauddin Districts (Punjab): Rs737.3 million project extending services to 234,573 residents across 160 mauzas.
Kohat District (KP): Rs359.3 million project covering 41,404 residents across 24 mauzas.; Khuzdar District (Balochistan): Rs2.94 billion project connecting 75,637 residents across 144 mauzas; Muzaffargarh District (Punjab): Rs1.5 billion project connecting 498,927 residents across 138 mauzas; and Mansehra District (KP): Rs1.36 billion project providing services to 172,989 residents across 145 mauzas.
Sialkot District (Punjab): Rs1.64 billion project laying 488 km of optical fibre cable to benefit 2.29 million people across 75 towns/union councils; Narowal District (Punjab): Rs1.51 billion project covering 447 km of optical fibre cable, enabling connectivity for 1.14 million residents across 66 towns/union councils; and Quetta-Ziarat Project (Balochistan): Rs2.06 billion project laying 493 km of optical fibre cable to provide high-speed connectivity to 858,783 residents across 37 towns/union councils.
