ISLAMABAD, Nov 7: Speakers at an open dialogue urged government on Friday to focus on rural areas as far as broadband proliferation is concerned because e-government and e-health could play pivotal role in their progress.

The open dialogue was organized by Pakistan Telecommunica-tion Authority to discuss proliferation issues in the country.

The speakers recommended wireless technology as best option for the areas where access was an impediment to broadband proliferations.

The meeting was presided over by the Authority’s Chairman, Mohammad Yaseen. Representatives from Ministry of Information Technology, Universal Service Fund, ICT Research and Development, Pakistan Software Export Board, PTA, Broadband Service Providers, Cellular Mobile Operators, Vendor, Consultants and Academia were also present.

In his opening remarks, Dr Mohammad Yaseen, gave a bird eye view of the telecom sector and highlighted broadband proliferation issues.

He said that during past few years, different segments of telecom sector had shown exponential growth.

However, broadband proliferation had been comparatively slow.

He said that percentage growth of broadband had been good but subscribers’ base was “very less.”

He highlighted the market potential for broadband in the country and asked participants to give their suggestions for enhancing the broadband proliferation in the country.

Appreciating Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s initiative on the issue he emphasized on greater facilitation by government and PTA, eradication of infrastructure related problems and difficulties, taxation by the government, development of contents, creating enabling environment and utilisation of Universal Service Fund for broadband proliferation besides other issues.

The participants were briefed about the projects undertaken by the USF for broadband. This included laying optic fiber cable throughout the country and a pilot project started in Faisalabad connecting schools, libraries and dispensaries.

Some of the participants suggested that the government should give incentive to ICT industry and play its role in creating enabling environment taking on board all relevant ministries and departments.

During the deliberations, it was suggested that a study should be carried out to assess the impact of present taxation on growth of telecom and ICT sectors. Basing on the results of this study, a case may be taken up accordingly by MOIT with the relevant ministry for eliminating/reducing the taxes.

The participants unanimously decided to form a “broadband stakeholders group” to study various aspects of the broadband and suggest measures to enhance broadband proliferation in the country.

It was also highlighted in the meeting that customer awareness campaign should also be launched to highlight the benefits of broadband.