Social-Media
In a historic “first of its kind” venture, Facebook will provide internet access to 15 million Pakistanis in eight locations.
Pakistanis who have had to acclimate to one of the poorest Online quality in South Asia may have reason to cheer, as their long-standing internet difficulties may be over. Their rescuer might be none other than Facebook, their beloved social media platform. In a meeting with Facebook's COO, Sheryl Sandberg, last year, Prime Minister Imran Khan asked the digital giant to invest in Pakistan.
According to Gulf News, Facebook has teamed with Pakistani telecom operator Nayatel to provide inexpensive, high-speed, and reliable Internet access to an estimated 10-5 million Pakistanis in eight major cities via a 1650 km-long fiber network infrastructure.
“This high-speed fibre will connect thousands of sites by 2022, and improve capacity and the geographical reach of internet access for millions”, Nayatel said.
The first-of-its-kind, landmark investment of a social media behemoth in Pakistan is nothing short of historic, with the potential to have a "monumental" influence on Pakistan's digital environment. It has the potential to pave the way for a vast and unprecedented “digital change of epic proportions” in Pakistan by providing the public with an internet experience that surpasses international standards.
Nayatel's new fiber networks will serve as the backbone infrastructure for 4G/5G mobile and fixed internet, a crucial engine of economic growth and job creation, as well as providing millions of people with access to the information superhighway.
Facebook is assisting local operators in leveraging fiber infrastructure to enhance access to affordable internet in Pakistan by investing in and supporting the construction of fiber networks. According to Tom Varghese, Facebook's head of connectivity and access policy (Asia Pacific), the agreement is part of Facebook's commitment to deliver fast and dependable internet connections to people throughout the world, including in Pakistan.
“This collaboration will also accelerate the government’s vision of digital Pakistan by increasing productivity for small and medium businesses, creating new job opportunities and online learning for the youth,” said a senior expert. “The partnership demonstrates confidence from a leading global brand like Facebook in Pakistan’s tech and entrepreneurial potential”
