Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The government would provide around 30,000 smartphones with Rs 250 balance per month among Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) beneficiaries, considering importance to enhance financial and digital inclusion.

The smartphones having 3G services would be provided in un-served and under-served areas of Balochistan and FATA under a programme, which would be funded by Universal Service Fund (USF), as the government has upgraded its scope.

The distribution of smartphones among the BISP beneficiaries with the launch of upcoming broadband projects for providing 3G services in Balochistan and FATA.

Sources at Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications on Sunday said the latest reports have revealed that Pakistan scored 69 percent on financial and digital inclusion and remained at 14th position among 26 emerging or third world countries.

They would also be given Rs 250 balance every month, besides different apps to increase mobile adaptability including understanding of e-commerce etc, sources said. The BISP beneficiaries would get information about the amount they are receiving from the government, which would mitigate the fraud chances, sources added.

Sources further said pilot project would cover Sibi, Harnai, Barkhan, Loralai-Zhob, Musakhel, Sherani-Kalat, Kharan, Washuk, Kohlu Dera Bugti, Kohistan and entire FATA including all seven agencies.

The BISP has already launched e-commerce facility for promotion of handicraft skills of BISP beneficiaries, aimed at providing them better access for their products in national and international markets, sources added.

The y said that the objective is to alleviate poverty in rural and semi-urban areas of Pakistan by supporting rural-based micro and small enterprises adding that market access to the products of marginalised segments will contribute in their welfare and the effects of such measures will also give boost to the economy of Pakistan. Regarding USF Board’s meeting, the sources said it has taken into consideration important upcoming projects including approval of 40 tele-centres, small lots, and establishment of computer laboratories initially in 100 girl’s schools being run under Islamabad Capital Territory Administration.

According to official documents, USF Company has been mandated to provide telecommunication coverage to un-served and under-served areas across Pakistan. Different programmes have been designed and multiple projects have been undertaken to achieve the goals set forth by federal government.

“The broadband programme, under the domain of USF programme, was initiated to provide broadband internet services in urban areas of second and third tier cities. USF has provided internet connectivity to 449,896 subscribers in 406 towns and established 1,328 educational broadband centres and 369 community broadband centres, the documents said.

However, with the evolution of 3G and 4G ecosystem objectives of this programme have been merged into the rural telephony and e-service programme. The Rural Telephony and e-Services (RTeS) Programme has been the main programme of USF where both last mile and backhaul components of telecommunication infrastructure have been provisioned in un-served areas. The programme has transformed from provision of basic telephony and data services to mobile broadband internet and telephony of 3G and 4G services. Basic telephony and data services have been provided to 4,297 mauzas.

Additionally, 611 PCOs and 52 tele-centres have also been established, while a reliable, scalable, high speed and high capacity backhaul infrastructure is of prime importance with increasing demand of high speed broadband internet services.

USF has laid about 6,447 kilometres of optical fiber cable connecting 74 tehsil headquarters and major towns.

The tele-centres project focuses on establishment of shared access points for broadband services. These centres will also provide a venue for select government e-services. Over the period of next three years USF will establish about 500 such Telecentres. Projects to establish 275 Telecentres will be launched in year 2016-17, documents said.