The government’s most recent initiative to make technology more widely available has made buying smartphones significantly simpler.
The “Smartphone For All” project, which would let individuals with modest incomes purchase mobile phones through simple payments, was introduced today in Islamabad by Federal Minister of IT and Telecom Syed Amin Ul Haque.
The project was started in association with the GSMA and KistPay, the fastest-growing instalment payment provider in Pakistan.
Julian Gorman, the GSMA’s Head of Asia Pacific, also spoke at the event in addition to Amin Ul Haq. Janet White, the head of policy, Major General (R) Aamir Azeem Bajwa, the chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Asif Jafri, the CEO of KistPay, and the CEOs of Ufone, Jazz, Telenor, and Special Communication Organization (SCO) were also present at the inaugural event.
Asif Aziz, CCO Jazz, suggested that the government discontinue the import and local production of 2G phones, prioritize the local assembly of 4G-enabled smartphones, develop and implement a regulatory cover that allows telecom companies to offer smartphones on installments, and lower withholding tax on essential telecom services from 15% to 8% in order to help an additional 50 million people make the switch to mobile broadband over the next three years. This will accelerate the adoption of digital technology and greatly expand the general public’s socioeconomic options.
Amin Ul Haq, a federal minister, said during remarks at the event that anybody can participate in the program and purchase a mobile phone by paying 20 to 30 percent of the device’s total price. He said that simply the ID card would be enough to finalize the deal, eliminating the need for any assurances or extensive documentation.
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