In order to promote ‘handset affordability’ particularly of smartphones for the people, the government is considering a policy of granting microcredit loans that can be returned in easy instalments.
As the Ministry of Information Technology & Telecom (MoIT&T) is all set to hold 5G spectrum the fact that handset affordability (2G smartphone users) is still 50pc is something of the concern for the MoIT&T as well as private telecom operators.
Minister of State for IT&T Shaza Fatima Khawaja while addressing the National Broadband Network Forum 2024 on Monday said various options were under consideration and a policy decision will be made soon to make smart phones available for the public on easy instalments. This may be mentioned that telecom operators have also raised the issue with the government that it would be useless to launch 5G spectrum while only 1pc of the users have the 5G smartphones.
According to a senior official of the MoIT&T the telecom operators have also raised the low Average Revenue Per User (ARPU). The government, the official said fully understands that low ARPU was because of the high price of the smartphones.
In her address, Shaza Fatima said the PML-N government had launched free laptop scheme for the high achievers at the public sector universities and so far, 1.1 million youths have been given laptops. Likewise, we are working on ‘Smart Phones for All’ to be available on micro credit.
At present Pakistan’s local market is meeting 95pc of the smartphones demand manufactured locally which is something to be proud of, she said. On slow Internet she said her ministry was working on it and soon that matter would also be resolved. We need to better enhance our Cyber Security, she said.
She said the National Assembly was going to pass ‘The Digital Nation Pakistan Bill, 2024 to provide for the transformation of Pakistan into a digital nation, enabling a digital society, digital economy and digital governance, she said.
The bill, aimed at digitizing the economy and promoting e-governance, was approved by the federal cabinet in June.
Under the new law two new bodies—the National Digital Commission (NDC) and the Pakistan Digital Authority—would be set up.
The first would be headed by the prime minister, including all four chief ministers and heads of organizations like the State Bank, FBR and PTA while the PDA would be led by industry experts.
