After the completion of these connectivity projects, a ministry of IT official estimates that 28 million people will have access to broadband.
For the connectivity of remote areas, more than 70 connectivity projects worth Rs 65 billion in the Universal Service Fund (USF) are currently under construction and will be finished by June this year.
After the completion of these connectivity projects, a ministry of IT official estimates that 28 million people will have access to broadband.
According to him, since its inception, USF has granted 123 projects under its flagship programs totaling approximately Rs 124.8 billion in subsidies, empowering more than 26 million people living in more than 12,000 mauzas, thus covering more than 120 districts throughout Pakistan.
In order to prepare for 5G technology, USF has also successfully laid more than 12,000 km of optical fibre, connecting more than 600 Tehsil Headquarters (THQs) or Union Councils (UCs) and significant towns in Pakistan.
The primary goal of the USF is to ensure that all citizens, regardless of where they live, have access to essential communication services.
This includes access to telephony, broadband internet, and other communication technologies. By providing these services, the USF helps to bridge the digital divide and improve access to information and communication services for people in remote and rural areas.
All of these USF projects, according to him, are essential for empowering women, accelerating access to e-suite services like e-commerce, e-education, e-health, and e-agriculture, and closing Pakistan’s digital divide.
It is essential to give remote areas access to broadband in order to close the digital divide and advance digital literacy. Access to the internet can enhance people’s lives in many ways, including by increasing access to employment, healthcare, and educational opportunities.
It can also stimulate the local economy by facilitating online businesses and e-commerce. It’s crucial to make sure that the infrastructure constructed as part of these projects is long-lasting and capable of being maintained.
It’s also crucial to give local communities support and training so they can make the most of the new connectivity. This can make the ecosystem self-sustaining and guarantee that the positive effects of the projects last for many years.