Government is planning to implement National Roaming in Balochistan in order to improve connectivity and facilitate investment in the province, particularly in Gwadar.
The government is planning to implement National Roaming in Balochistan, with the exception of areas that do not jeopardise the commercial interests of cellular mobile providers, in order to improve connectivity and facilitate investment in the province, particularly in Gwadar.
This information was presented to the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication on Monday, which was presided over by Kauda Babar, during a briefing by Brig. Amer Shahzad, Director General Licensing of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
According to PTA officials, Balochistan is being treated as an exceptional situation and will have access to National Roaming by June 2023. The equipment has already been reached, and all that remains is to switch over and perform some minor maintenance that will be finished shortly. The possibility of nationwide roaming would be made available in the nation’s tourist areas.
The Committee was briefed on the Universal Services Fund’s strategies for improving phone and data services in underserved areas. Numerous efforts are underway, according to officials, to provide the best service possible to Baloch clients. Ufone has provided 4G internet connectivity to 95 percent of the towers in the Gwadar district.
The committee’s chairman claimed that because mobile internet is not available in the majority of Balochistan’s districts, children face difficulties. He went on to say that, despite the fact that the service was available in many locations, it had been discontinued due to security concerns.
National roaming, according to officials, is being implemented in some locations to improve the service and will be available to consumers by June of next year. Senator Afnanullah Khan stated that the Gwadar district requires special attention due to significant foreign investment. Sen. Kauda Babar, the committee’s chairman, directed that the availability of internet access in tourist areas be given special consideration.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is the regulatory authority for the telecommunications sector in Pakistan. It is responsible for issuing licenses, regulating the telecommunications industry, and ensuring the provision of quality telecommunications services to the public.