ISLAMABAD, Sept 21 (ABC): Fifteen Universal Service Fund (USF) 4G access projects are underway to extend mobile broadband connectivity to 3.66 million people across 1,893 mauzas in 21 districts, with a total contracted subsidy exceeding Rs14 billion.
According to official project data available with Wealth Pakistan, the 15 projects have a combined target population of 3,656,923. Their contracted subsidy stands at Rs14.008 billion.
The Kurram project has achieved 75% completion, the highest progress level among the projects listed. It targets 40 mauzas with a population of 251,980 and carries a contracted subsidy of Rs92.25 million.
Five projects reach 50% completion
Five projects have reached 50% completion, according to the project data. These include projects covering Pishin, Chiniot, Abbottabad, Badin and Kohat.
The Pishin project has the largest geographical coverage among the 15 projects. It targets 306 mauzas across Pishin, Killa Abdullah and Quetta districts.
The project will provide connectivity to an estimated 574,545 people and carries a contracted subsidy of Rs1.32 billion.
The Chiniot project covers 117 mauzas and targets 333,267 people. The Abbottabad project covers 61 mauzas with a target population of 157,473.
In Badin, the project targets 432,666 people across 144 mauzas. The Kohat project, which also covers the former Frontier Region Kohat, targets 41,404 people across 24 mauzas.
Khuzdar project carries largest subsidy
Two projects — Umar Kot and Khuzdar — have achieved 25% completion.
The Umar Kot project targets 243,695 people across 142 mauzas and carries a contracted subsidy of Rs914.61 million.
The Khuzdar project covers 144 mauzas with a target population of 75,637. With a contracted subsidy of approximately Rs2.945 billion, it carries the largest subsidy among the 15 ongoing projects.
Work is also progressing on seven projects covering Small Lot P-15, Gujranwala, Muzaffargarh, Mansehra, Haripur, Rajanpur and Sujawal.
Small Lot P-15 covers nine mauzas across Bahawalnagar, Faisalabad, Sheikhupura and Hafizabad districts. It targets a population of 15,700.
The Gujranwala project covers Gujranwala and Mandi Bahauddin districts, targeting 160 mauzas with a combined population of 234,573.
Pishin project targets largest population
Among the 15 projects, Pishin has the largest target population at 574,545. Muzaffargarh follows with 498,927 people, while Badin ranks next with 432,666.
The Muzaffargarh project covers 138 mauzas. In Rajanpur, the project targets 301,512 people across 215 mauzas.
The Sujawal project covers another 144 mauzas and targets a population of 246,759.
Together, the 15 ongoing projects aim to expand 4G access across underserved areas by connecting nearly 1,900 mauzas and more than 3.65 million people in 21 districts.
