ISLAMABAD, Nov 27: Information Technology Minister Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari on Saturday said each year Rs1.5 billion would be provided from the Universal Service Fund to telecom companies as financial assistance for launching services in such areas where the cost of operations was too high due to lack of infrastructure and scattered population.

“The importance of funding telecommunication infrastructure in the rural areas cannot be underestimated for the long-term socio-economic benefit and to reduce the ‘digital divide’ between rural and urban areas,” he said after a series of meetings between the telecom operators and the ministry officials to share input and views on the framework and composition of a proposed universal service fund policy.—Staff Reporter