Jazz will provide Hi-Speed Broadband in Kurram, FATA as per a new contract with USF.

The Universal Service Fund (USF) has awarded a contract worth PKR 92 Million to Jazz to provide high-speed broadband in Kurram Lot (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa). The Federal Secretary for IT, Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui inaugurated the Next Generation Broadband for the Sustainable Development project in Kurram (Tehsils of FR Kurram, Lower Kurram and Upper Kurram) at a ceremony held at Ministry of IT & Telecom on Monday. The contract was signed by USF CEO Haaris Mahmood Chaudhry and Jazz’s Chief Corporate & Regulatory Affairs Officer Syed Fakhar Ahmed.

Coverage Area

Through this project, broadband coverage will be provided in 224 mauzas in Kurram. It covers an approximate unserved area of 2,980 sq. km. As part of the deal, Jazz will work towards providing mobile broadband access to people of Kurram District.  Overall, the idea is to provide reliable and cheap broadband connectivity across the country. Thus, it focuses remote areas to ensure spread of digital facilities to the common man.

Mr. Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui, the Chief Guest, states that the focus of USF is to bridge the digital divide. It has created a technological revolution in the country. He said that the Ministry of IT & Telecom is ensuring that broadband connectivity plays a prime role in these times.

Mr. Siddiqui adds that Covid-19 has completely altered the global landscape. He says that an aggressive approach is there in the USF’s upcoming projects for high-speed broadband. Thus, he added that it is need of the hour that all stakeholders work together to fight against Covid-19.

Further, Mr Siddiqui concluded by stating that with the Digital Pakistan vision set in motion, the strategic role of USF. He said that USF’s role is to provide connectivity to all Pakistanis and it has become even more important.

JAZZ Brand

Also speaking at the ceremony, USF CEO Haaris Mahmood Chaudhary explained that these achievements made by the USF had only been possible due to the constant efforts of the Government of Pakistan. He added that Prime Minister Imran Khan, IT Minister, and USF Board of Directors had been torchbearers of the vision for a “Digital Pakistan” and had enabled USF to transform people’s lives. He further said that they had given USF tremendous cooperation, help and support, without which all this could not be achieved.

Sharing his views on the development, Jazz’s Chief Corporate & Regulatory Affairs Officer Syed Fakhar Ahmed, said, “Our collaboration with USF is in line with our agenda of bridging the prevalent digital divide. This is why, the project has special significance for us and in due time over 0.44 million residents of these areas will have access to the country’s fastest mobile broadband. Jazz is looking forward to assisting these people in unlocking their potential in an increasingly interconnected world.”

Thus, Jazz will provide Hi-Speed Broadband in Kurram, FATA. Senior officials of the Ministry of IT, USF and Jazz were also present at the event.

Official Website of Jazz: www.jazz.com.pk