The Universal Service Fund (USF) approved nine new telecom projects on Wednesday, valued at Rs13.05 billion. The projects aim to provide high-speed internet and voice services to 5.55 million unserved and underserved residents across 11 districts. The initiative will cover 178 Towns/Union Councils and 753 Mauzas, empowering rural communities to access digital services.
The USF Board, chaired by Secretary IT & Telecommunication Zarrar Hasham Khan, awarded the projects to the lowest compliant bidders following a transparent process. The projects include six Next Generation Broadband Services (NGBSD) projects and three Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) expansion projects.
These initiatives will connect 1.27 million people through broadband and voice services and lay 1,428 km of optical fiber to serve over 4.29 million residents.
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Chairman USF, Zarrar Hasham Khan, highlighted the urgent need to enhance fiberization of mobile towers and Base Transceiver Stations nationwide. He said the projects align with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Federal Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja’s vision to bridge the digital divide. He added that connectivity is key to digital growth, benefiting the IT sector, freelancers, and essential health and education services.
The NGBSD projects will cover districts including Umar Kot, Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Kohat, Khuzdar, Muzaffargarh, and Mansehra. Investments range from Rs359 million in Kohat to Rs2.94 billion in Khuzdar, enabling broadband and voice services for hundreds of thousands of residents across multiple Mauzas.
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The OFC projects will expand fiber networks in Sialkot, Narowal, and Quetta-Ziarat, covering a total of 1,428 km of optical fiber. These projects will enable high-speed connectivity for millions of residents, strengthening rural participation in the digital economy. USF CEO Mudassar Naveed said these initiatives will further support national IT growth and inclusivity.