USF awards contracts to Zong 4G for providing network coverage in remote areas

The Universal Service Fund (USF), which undertakes telecom infrastructure development with the telecom operators pooled money has awarded contracts worth approximately Rs 112 Million to Zong 4G for providing 4G network coverage in rural and remote areas of Sindh and Balochistan.

Federal Minister of IT and Telecommunication, Syed Amin Ul Haque inaugurated the projects at a ceremony held at Zong 4G Headquarters. The contracts were signed by Haaris Mahmood Chaudhary, CEO, USF with Wang Hua, Chairman and CEO, Zong 4G.

Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Syed Amin Ul Haque said: “To achieve the Digital Pakistan vision, it is imperative that all areas and citizens of Pakistan have access to mobile phones and Broadband services. This will ensure that not only is the citizenry connected to the digital world but they will be in a position to benefit and use Information Communication Technology (ICT) facilities”.

He informed that the Government is working arduously on mobile phone applications, web portals, e-commerce, e-government, online jobs, digital payments, establishment of IT parks and all other avenues which are related to the Digital Pakistan vision.

The Federal Minister congratulated Zong 4G and USF on the signing of the contracts and expressed the hope that this will ensure that residents living in remote areas of Baluchistan and rural pockets of Karachi will have better connectivity through Zong 4G's superior technical expertise.

He stated that USF is working on projects worth billions of rupees which include laying optical fiber, deploying telecommunication infrastructure and expanding networks. Furthermore, he announced that Ministry of IT and Telecommunication with USF's support will be launching new development projects pertaining to network and Broadband expansion monthly.

CEO USF, Haaris Mahmood Chaudhary said: “These projects will benefit an unserved population of 0.5 million in 263 unserved Mauzas, thereby covering an unserved area of 4,121 sq.km. of Nasirabad, Jaffarabad, Sohbatpur, Karachi West & Malir districts.”