ISLAMABAD: In its first investment in Pakistan, Facebook is going to introduce fiber broadband networks to expand Internet connectivity in eight cities, the tech giant’s local partner said on Wednesday.
Under the partnership, Facebook will invest in the fiber network structure that will be build, maintained and operated by telecommunications company Nayatel.
“This high-speed fiber will connect thousands of sites by 2022, and improve capacity and the geographical reach of Internet access to approximately 10 to 15 million people across 8 major cities in Pakistan,” Nayatel said in a statement.
“By investing and supporting the building of networks, Facebook is helping operators leverage fiber infrastructure to improve access to affordable broadband. This initiative is the first of its kind for Facebook in Pakistan and represents a broader strategy of investing in the country and improving connectivity in the region.”
The investment announcement was welcomed by Pakistan’s telecommunication regulator, which said the 1,650-kilometer-long fiber optic cable will improve connectivity in the whole country.
“PTA congratulates Nayatel & Facebook for entering into an agreement to lay 1650 km backbone, access & metro fiber optic cable across 8 cities of Pakistan,” the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) said in a tweet, adding that it would support the project’s early completion.
PTA congratulates Nayatel & Facebook for entering into an agreement to lay 1650 kms backbone,access & metro fiber optic cable across 8 cities of Pakistan.This will improve & expand connectivity within the country. Chairman PTA assures PTA’s support for project's early completion.
— PTA (@PTAofficialpk) May 26, 2021