ISLAMABAD:The Universal Service Fund (USF) has awarded a contract worth approximately Rs6.78-billion to the Ufone for providing High Speed Mobile Broadband services in Sibbi district of Balochistan and Motorway M-8.

Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Syed Amin-ul-Haque and Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Agha Hassan Baloch witnessed the contract signing ceremony and launch of Research Impact Assessment Study here in Islamabad on Thursday.

Syed Amin-ul-Haque said these two new projects will provide uninterrupted voice and 4G broadband data services in Balochistan. He said one of these projects is worth Rs1.96 billion that aim to empower around 34,000 individuals residing in 47 Mauzas of Sibbi district.

Additionally, he said the another project worth Rs4.82 billion has been initiated to ensure voice and 4G coverage on 478 kms of previously unserved road segments along the M-8 motorway.

He said one of the salient features of this project is that national roaming will be enabled for commuters for uninterrupted services.

These road segments pass through various districts including Gwadar, Kech, Awaran, Khuzdar, and Jhal Magsi in Balochistan Province, as well as Kambar Shahdad Kot and Larkana in Sindh Province.

The Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication thanked the Federal Minister, Agha Hassan Baloch for his time and apprised him of the developments of Ministry of IT and Telecommunication in Balochistan.

He said the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication through USF has been at the forefront of digital transformation in Pakistan, with a dedicated focus on extending meaningful access to connectivity for the people of Balochistan.

These efforts include implementing projects to provide 4G Broadband services to unserved population, deployment of optic fiber cable as well as providing seamless coverage to National Highways and Motorways in the province through national roaming.

According to a press release, during the last 5 years, USF has launched 21 new projects worth Rs27.12 billion under its high-speed broadband program that targets provision of 4G data services across the province.

The Ministry of IT and Telecommunication will continue to provide its unwavering commitment to improve the lives of the local communities of Balochistan by providing them improved access to employment opportunities, education, and healthcare facilities.

While addressing the ceremony, Federal Minister Agha Hassan Baloch emphasized that the Ministry of Science and Technology is committed to providing full assistance and support for the advancement of the IT industry.

He also commended the dedicated teams of USF and Ufone for their outstanding efforts, acknowledging their potential to bring about transformative change in the lives and livelihoods of individuals.

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