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Despite advancements in technology, several regions in Pakistan still lack access to mobile phone and internet services. These include areas in northern Punjab, interior Sindh, Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).
Current Coverage and Future Goals
According to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), about 75-77% of the country’s population currently has access to mobile and internet services. The PTA aims to increase this coverage to 90% by 2028. However, many remote and less populated areas remain underserved.
Specific Regional Challenges
In regions such as North Waziristan and five districts in Balochistan, internet services are entirely unavailable. This suspension is due to directives from the Ministry of Interior, which instructs the PTA to regulate telecom services based on security and policy considerations.
Balochistan, which constitutes 45% of Pakistan’s land area with a population of around 20 million, has mobile and internet services primarily in major cities. Less populated areas rely on the Universal Service Fund (USF) to provide basic telecom facilities. The USF aims to extend these services to remote regions, but progress has been slow.
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Licensing and Expansion Efforts
PTA Director General Licensing, Amir Shehzad, explained that telecom companies receive licenses under the condition that they comply with federal government policies. According to the terms set in the licenses issued in 2021 and 2022, telecom operators are required to extend mobile phone services to 3% of the new population each year. This incremental expansion targets both urban and rural areas.
Currently, about 77% of Pakistan’s population has access to mobile and internet services. Given that the country’s population grows by approximately 2% annually, with an additional 1% increase in new housing, the PTA projects that by 2028, 90% of the population will have access to these services.
Quality of Service Concerns
Despite these expansion efforts, the quality of services remains a significant issue. Digital rights expert Tanveer Nandla highlights that the government’s failure to provide telecom services to the entire population reflects a considerable inefficiency. With 70% of Pakistan’s population residing in rural areas, these regions are particularly underserved.
Nandla pointed out that telecom companies were expected to provide modern internet and mobile services nationwide by 2024. However, a substantial portion of the population still lacks these facilities. Regions such as northern Punjab, interior Sindh, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and the former FATA suffer from poor telecom service quality. Students from these areas often have to relocate to major cities to continue their education due to the lack of reliable internet access.
Government and PTA Initiatives
The PTA, in collaboration with telecom companies, is working to extend services gradually. According to their agreements, telecom operators are targeting a 3% increase in service coverage each year. The goal is to ensure that by 2028, 90% of the population has access to mobile and internet services.
Conclusion
While significant strides have been made in expanding mobile and internet services in Pakistan, there is still a long way to go to achieve universal coverage. The efforts by the government and PTA are crucial in bridging this gap, but challenges remain, especially in rural and remote areas. The success of these initiatives is vital for ensuring that all Pakistanis have equal access to essential telecom services, which are crucial for education, business, and overall quality of life. As the country progresses towards its 2028 goal, continuous efforts and investments are necessary to overcome existing barriers and improve service quality across all regions.