ISLAMABAD: Council of the Universal Service Fund (USF) on Thursday approved award of 8 contracts worth about over 10 billion rupees to provide Internet connectivity to about 3.3 million people. people through high-speed broadband services and fiber optic connection (OFC) in unserved and underserved areas of Provinces of Balochistan, Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Contracts have been awarded to Jazz, PTCL, Ufone and Telenor. Completion time for all projects will be 16 months from the date of signing a contract.
USF Council also approved over 31 billion rupees per year budget of USF for 2022-23 financial year. MOITT Secretary and USF Board Chairman Mohsin Mushtaq Chandna presided over the 82nd meeting. of Board of Directors (SD), said news release.
Federal Minister for IT & Telecom Syed Amin-Ul-Haq Congratulating the USF Board on OK of projects, said: “From July 2018 to June 2022, USF launched record 57 projects of worth 62 billion rupees, which says a lot. performance and proof of its commitment to connect all communities of Pakistan that allows them compete better in economic environment which is constantly changing in answer to technology evolution.”
He said that the annual development budget for digital connection increased from Rs 18 billion to Rs 31 billion. in Fiscal Year 2022-23, which will expand connectivity in backward areas and strengthen ICT activities.
“Efforts are being made made eliminate digital inconsistencies in urban and rural areas. USF launched projects in remote and backward areas of four provinces of country, he added.
