The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) has announced the inauguration of two new high-speed mobile broadband projects in Sindh’s un-served and under-served areas. The projects, which will be finished in 12 months and cost Rs. 698 million, have been entrusted to Jazz.
Federal Ministers for Planning and Development Asad Umar and Information Technology and Telecommunications Syed Amin-Ul-Haq were present at the signing ceremony on Friday.
Universal Service Fund (USF) Chief Executive Officer Haaris Mahmood Chaudhry and Jazz Vice President Mudassar Hussain signed the project agreement. Consul Generals from various countries, MQM politician Sheikh Salahuddin, and Jazz Chief Commercial Officer Asif Aziz were among those who attended the ceremony.
Syed Amin-Ul-Haq, who spoke at the occasion, said the first project would cost Rs. 246 million and would bring high-speed mobile broadband services to 359 un-served and under-served mauzas in Kambar Shahdadkot and Larkana. The second project, worth Rs 451 million, will bring high-speed mobile broadband services to 438 mauzas in the districts of Naushahro Feroze and Shaheed Benazirabad.
The minister stated that nine projects worth Rs. 8.48 billion are currently being implemented in Sindh under his ministry. 3,227 mauzas in 19 districts of the province have been connected to the digital network as part of these projects.
In his remarks, Federal Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar praised the Ministry of Information Technology’s work and stated that the ministry’s function is becoming increasingly important in this age of technology.
The USF Chief Executive Officer stated earlier in his welcome address that all projects will be completed on schedule and to a high grade and quality.
In his speech, Jazz Chief Commercial Officer Asif Aziz said “Providing reliable mobile broadband to all our fellow citizens remains a key priority at Jazz. Through this collaboration with USF, 719 un-served mauzas of rural Sindh will be able to access high-speed mobile broadband which will unlock unlimited socio-economic opportunities for the residents.”
He cautioned that the country is experiencing a digital emergency, and that the proposed hike in withholding tax (WHT) on telecom customers, as well as a 17 percent sales tax on smartphones and computers, will further lag behind its worldwide rivals.
To read our blog on Under New Broadband Policy, the Ministry of IT has set a revenue target of $20 billion by 2025, click here.
