The government is working on a plan to extend telecommunication services to remote areas through model Telecentres where multi-services would be offered at one place.
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has been tasked to negotiate with private operators to sponsor at least one such centre, especially in far-flung areas where no telecom services are provided as yet, for which the sources told Business Recorder that talks are under way with operators and banks.
They said that a comprehensive strategy is being chalked out not just to increase the rural telephony but also to target unemployment and poverty by establishing such Telecentres under certain criteria in different parts of the country.
They said that National Bank has already been asked to include the plan in its 'President Employment Scheme', whereas negotiations with other commercial banks for issuing soft loans are under process. The PTA would ask the banks to extend soft loans facility on easy terms to the individuals interested in setting up such Telecentres.
The scheme is expected to be launched soon, as all modalities including negotiations with banks, operators and cost factors are in the final stages. Roughly, each centre would cost Rs 50,000. The PTA would initially establish over 100 Telecentres and subsequently increase the number. The Authority will determine areas wherein these centres will be established on the basis of population and basic telecom facilities there.
Basic information about such areas in different parts of the country is being collected through different sources to ascertain the areas in which these telecentres have to be established under certain criteria set by the Authority. Similarly, the preference will be given to jobless individuals.
An official in PTA expressed hope that the project of rural telephony uplift would be launched in a month's time as all modalities have almost been finalised. He said that PTA has designed a comprehensive strategy by taking on board all telecom operators to take up the project.
The Authority is collecting information about remote areas wherein payphone, fax and/or internet facilities do not exist to set up telecommunication centres to provide these facilities. He said the PTA would also arrange short training courses for the people interested in setting up Telecentres.
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