US Government’s Universal Service Fund to Lay 2000 km of Optical Fiber Cable in Pakistan

The United States government’s Universal Service Fund (USF) has announced plans to lay 2,000 kilometers of optical fiber cable (OFC) in Pakistan for the fiscal year 2024-25. The initiative was shared with the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication. This is part of USF’s ongoing optical fiber program, which began in November 2020, focusing on deep fiberization at the Union Council level.

So far, 17 major OFC projects have been initiated, connecting 884 Union Councils with 9,068 kilometers of fiber. These projects are crucial for supporting the existing mobile broadband networks (3G/4G) and facilitating the future rollout of 5G services by providing essential backhaul infrastructure.

USF stated that the launch of 5G services in rural areas is still pending, as the commercial rollout depends on the business plans of operators and licensing from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). Once the necessary licenses are granted, projects for 5G infrastructure development will identify secure and insecure areas that need to be addressed.

The USF further highlighted that efforts to bridge the digital divide are focused on two main aspects: expanding physical telecom infrastructure and enhancing digital literacy, content localization, and public education. USF’s initiatives primarily target connectivity through mobile broadband and fiber backhaul measures. The organization also noted that closing the digital divide requires broader actions, including education, socio-economic interventions, and result-driven government policies.

While USF’s projects play a significant role in narrowing the connectivity gap, the organization emphasized that fully closing the digital divide by 2030 is beyond its single-handed capacity.