ISLAMABAD: Telenor Pakistan is spearheading another leap towards empowering the Pakistani society through the rollout of its 4G services in Gilgit Baltistan. To bring the benefits of digital communications to the people of Gilgit Baltistan, Telenor Pakistan has used state-of-the-art satellite solution by refarming its network sites in Gilgit and Skardu.
Gilgit Baltistan is home to one of the world’s highest mountain ranges where deployment of fiber optic is challenging due to its geographical terrain and extreme weather. To provide telecom services, Gilgit Baltistan was mainly served with Legacy VSAT satellite network. As a smart alternative, Telenor Pakistan is now using O3b satellite network to provide 4G services which is a constellation of numerous satellites that orbit only 8,000kms away from Earth. This low altitude reduces latency by up to four times while bringing it at par with long haul fiber transmission.
“In this increasingly digital world where connectivity has become a need for growth and development opportunities, Telenor Pakistan is pleased to extend the benefits of high-speed mobile broadband to the people of Gilgit Baltistan where it was not possible through conventional means,” said Irfan Wahab Khan, CEO Telenor Pakistan and Head of Telenor’s Emerging Asia Cluster. “It’s a proud moment for us and a representation of our unwavering commitment to connect and empower the underserved areas and communities of Pakistan. I welcome the people of Gilgit Baltistan to this era of high-speed connectivity with the ambition to continue delivering and enhancing services in this region.”
Hafiz Hafeez ur Rehman, Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan said,”We congratulate Telenor Pakistan on bringing 4G to the people of Gilgit Baltistan and appreciate their continued efforts to help Pakistan achieve its digitalization goals. We are moving towards a future where technology is increasingly becoming the cornerstone of the entire socioeconomic progress and if we don’t prepare for it, we would definitely be left behind. We are proud how massively Pakistan’s ICT sector is contributing to our national digital inclusion agenda, especially Telenor Pakistan with its bold initiatives to empower the Pakistani society. As we envision to transform Pakistan into a knowledge economy, continued support from key technology players like Telenor Pakistan will prove instrumental for reaching new milestones.”
It is pertinent to note that in late 2015, Telenor Pakistan had launched 3G trials in Gilgit Baltistan via O3b satellite, becoming the first national operator to venture into the region’s tough terrain for delivery of mobile and broadband connectivity. Later, in 2018, the company powered the port city of Gwadar with 4G services through its state-of-the-art satellite solution. Owing to its strategic location, ongoing CPEC related developments with immense economic and geo-political potential, Gwadar is all set to emerge as a regional and global maritime hub that was in dire need of quality NGMS services.
The launch of 4G services in Gilgit Baltistan is the continuation of Telenor Pakistan’s unyielding efforts to ensure easy and affordable access to mobile internet. Telenor Pakistan has reached and empowered people through connectivity where no other network has reached before, and the latest initiative is another addition to this tradition of supporting and promoting digital inclusion for the masses. With over 44 million cellular subscribers and15 million high-speed data users, Telenor Pakistan facilitates the growth of NGMS uptake in the country not only through network coverage, but also with its extensive portfolio of affordable 3G/4G devices and handsets.
