ISLAMABAD: The Universal Service Fund (USF) has awarded contract worth Rs254 million to Jazz for providing high speed mobile broadband services in rural and remote areas of Jhelum and Chakwal districts.

USF is a subsidiary of the Ministry of IT to expand the internet and telecom services to remote areas of the country where the telecom companies and the internet service providers do not enter as such areas were not commercially viable.

This project will ensure availability of internet services to an un-served population of 340,000 in an area of around 4,002 square kilometres, and it is likely to help in socio-economic progress of the local population with opening of opportunities related to connectivity, and a step towards achieving the Digital Pakistan initiative.

The contracts were signed by USF chief executive officer Haaris Mahmood Chaudhary and Jazz chief executive officer Aamir Ibrahim. Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Syed Aminul Haque and Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry were also present at the signing ceremony.

Stressing the importance of broadband connectivity, Syed Aminul Haque said the Covid-19 pandemic had slackened economic activity but the internet and telephony connectivity played a key role in ensuring the availability of essential services to the communities.

“In line with the Digital Pakistan initiative, we are committed to providing the required digital ecosystem by working with all stakeholders for enhanced connectivity, improved digital infrastructure, and promotion of emerging technologies,” he added.

Published in Dawn, January 26th, 2021