4400 telecom sites have been deployed, 37.1 million citizens have benefited from USF’s internet connectivity projects, and more.
In 161 projects, the Universal Service Fund (USF) NG OFC has installed more than 4,400 telecom sites, provided services to 37.1 million people, and installed 17,200 kilometers of fiber optic capacity. across Pakistan, according to IT and Telecom Minister Shahza Fatima.
Fatima gave this speech as the main speaker at the Girls in ICT for Inclusive Digital Transformation event, which was held in Islamabad in conjunction with International Girls in
She went on to say that USF’s NG OFC programs are connecting underprivileged communities in Pakistan. By getting distant places online, USF has made it possible for women, companies, independent contractors, and social media influencers to access new opportunities, encouraging economic advancement and creativity.
During his time in office, PM Mian Shahbaz Sharif gave 1.2 million laptops to young people. The IT Ministry trained 4.5 million people in online freelancing through DG Skills Programs.
The USF has received Rs.This year, the prime minister has allotted $23 billion.. With inclusiveness at its center, the Ministry of IT & Telecommunication will keep spearheading this initiative. “We need all of you—as mentors, investors, role models, and allies—to accelerate this momentum,” Ms. Shaza Fatima stressed.
According to USF CEO Mudassar Naveed, “As an organization, USF is committed to connecting the unconnected,”. The simple yet effective directive is to extend high-speed telecom infrastructure to Pakistan’s most isolated and underserved regions. More individuals have access to the globe when a new hamlet is brought online by a mobile tower or OFC network supported by the USF. They can now join an online course, stream a tutorial, or interact with a worldwide community.
The CEO went on to say that USF had not initiated any new projects in the previous two years because its priorities were timely completion of ongoing projects and, in accordance with the Board of Directors’ and the Federal Minister for IT’s directives, completing field and technical work for new projects.
Additional Cities to Connect
According to Naveed, USF has released bids for 16 projects, indicating that the official project launch phase has commenced.Future plans call for the USF to link high-speed fiber infrastructure to districts including as Tando Muhammad Khan, Sialkot, Sanghar, Jhang, and Sajawal.
Next Generation Broadband for Sustainable Development (NG-BSD) initiatives will service the following districts: Abbottabad, Badin, Chiniot, Kalat, Umar Kot, Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Kohat, and Khuzdar. The NGBSD (Small Lot) includes Attock, Sargodha, Khushab, Bahawalnagar, Sheikhupura, Hafizabad, Haripur, Mansehra, Mirpur Khas, and Sanghar.
