USF launches 15 projects to extend 4G to 3.66m people in 21 districts

ISLAMABAD, Sep 22 (APP):The Universal Service Fund (USF) is implementing 15 projects to extend 4G connectivity to 3.66 million people across 1,893 mauzas in 21 districts, with a combined contracted subsidy of Rs14.008 billion, aiming to improve digital access in underserved areas.

According to official project data available with Wealth Pakistan, the 15 projects have a combined target population of 3,656,923 people and are at different stages of implementation.

The Kurram project has reached 75 per cent completion, the highest among the projects, covering 40 mauzas and targeting 251,980 people with a contracted subsidy of Rs92.25 million

Five projects have reached 50 per cent completion, including Pishin, Chiniot, Abbottabad and Badin.

The Pishin project has the largest geographical coverage, spanning Pishin, Killa Abdullah and Quetta and covering 306 mauzas. It targets 574,545 people with a contracted subsidy of Rs1.32 billion.

The Chiniot project covers 117 mauzas and targets 333,267 people, while Abbottabad covers 61 mauzas and targets 157,473 people. The Badin project covers 144 mauzas and targets 432,666 people.

The Kohat project, including the former Frontier Region Kohat, covers 24 mauzas and targets 41,404 people.

Two projects, Umar Kot and Khuzdar have reached 25 per cent completion. Umar Kot covers 142 mauzas and targets 243,695 people, with a contracted subsidy of Rs914.61 million.

The Khuzdar project covers 144 mauzas and targets 75,637 people. With a contracted subsidy of approximately Rs2.945 billion, it has the largest financial allocation among the 15 projects.

Work is also underway on seven projects covering Small Lot P-15, Gujranwala, Muzaffargarh, Mansehra, Haripur, Rajanpur and Sujawal.

The Small Lot P-15 project covers nine mauzas across Bahawalnagar, Faisalabad, Sheikhupura and Hafizabad and targets 15,700 people.

The Gujranwala project covers Gujranwala and Mandi Bahauddin, targeting 160 mauzas and 234,573 people.

Among the 15 projects, Pishin has the largest target population at 574,545, followed by Muzaffargarh at 498,927 and Badin at 432,666.

Muzaffargarh covers 138 mauzas, while Rajanpur targets 301,512 people across 215 mauzas. Sujawal covers 144 mauzas and has a target population of 246,759.

The projects are intended to expand 4G coverage in underserved areas and provide local communities with improved access to digital communication, online services and other connectivity-enabled opportunities.