Pakistan to expand fiber connectivity to 7.5m homes in five years

Pakistan plans to dramatically enhance its digital infrastructure by extending fiber-optic connectivity to 7.5 million households and achieving 80 percent fiber-to-the-site (FTTS) coverage within the next five years, the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication (MoITT) announced. These goals form a central part of the upcoming National Fiberization Policy, being crafted under the Digital Economy Enhancement Project (DEEP). The initiative aims to bolster the country’s fixed broadband infrastructure and raise average download speeds to 60 Mbps nationwide. A dedicated Project Management Unit (PMU) is being recruited to oversee the policy’s development. Once established, the PMU will hire a consultancy firm through a competitive bidding process to assist in finalizing the policy framework. This strategic move is designed to prepare Pakistan for emerging technologies like 5G and the Internet of Things (IoT), while also ensuring robust digital connectivity. The policy emphasizes private sector investment and aims to eliminate long-standing deployment barriers by focusing on key areas such as rationalizing right-of-way (RoW) charges, streamlining approval procedures, and encouraging infrastructure sharing. According to MoITT, Pakistan currently has over 211,000 kilometers of deployed optical fiber cable, split between 75,967 km of long-haul and 135,506 km of metro fiber. However, officials say this infrastructure is insufficient to meet rising demand and evolving technological needs. The Telecom Wing of MoITT is leading the policy development in collaboration with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and industry stakeholders. A series of consultations are planned to develop cost-sharing models and single-window clearance systems. The policy also aligns with broader economic goals, promoting local manufacturing of fiber-optic components to reduce import reliance. The final draft of the National Fiberization Policy is expected to be completed by the end of the year, setting the stage for a digitally connected and future-ready Pakistan.

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