Page 8 - CMA Journal (Nov-Dec 2024)

Exclusive Interview

• Ensuring alignment and coordination across federal
and provincial entities to maintain a unified national
approach. We are working closely with
• Issuing directives to entities to align their policies, relevant stakeholders on tax
operations, and digital initiatives with the DMP,
addressing inter-jurisdictional challenges and reforms to reduce high taxes on
supporting effective implementation.
telecom services, broadband, and
• Providing policy and strategic guidance to drive the
digital transformation agenda forward. equipment, aiming to attract
Similarly, the Authority will work to achieve the investment, improve connectivity,
objectives of ‘Digital National Pakistan’ and
coordinate digital initiatives across federal, provincial, and foster digital transformation
and local levels. Moreover, the PDA has also been
tasked with overseeing the secure adoption of
emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI),
spectrum auction will make more spectrum
virtual assets, and the Internet of Things (IoT) and available to enhance broadband infrastructure and
addressing associated challenges. The functions of
support 4G and 5G rollout, ensuring improved
the Authority include:
service quality and connectivity.
• Executing the strategies and initiatives outlined in
b) ROW Fee Harmonization: We are actively working
the DMP. Ensuring the development and on harmonizing Right of Way (ROW) fees
operationalization of DPI, including components
nationwide, addressing inconsistencies and
like Digital ID, Data Exchange Layer, and Digital reducing high charges to facilitate telecom
Payments.
infrastructure expansion.
• Ensuring adherence to standards and regulations, c) Tax Reforms: We are working closely with relevant
fostering an environment of trust and security.
stakeholders on tax reforms to reduce high taxes on
• Collaborating with stakeholders across the public telecom services, broadband, and equipment,
and private sectors to drive innovation and aiming to attract investment, improve connectivity,
scalability. and foster digital transformation.
• Monitoring implementation, assessing compliance, d) National Fiberization Policy: The National
and reporting to the NDC, highlighting progress and Fiberization Policy focuses on expanding the
recommending corrective measures as needed. fiber-optic network to underserved areas to
enhance high-speed internet access, support the 5G
ICMA: How is the Ministry addressing the challenges
of slow internet speeds and improving nationwide rollout, and drive digital growth.
connectivity? e) Submarine Cable Improvements: We are adding
four new submarine cables to boost bandwidth,
IT Minister: The Ministry has been taking initiatives to
reduce dependency on single cables, and ensure
continue improving nationwide connectivity coverage faster, more reliable internet.
as well as internet speed. Some of our recent key
measures in this regard include, but are not limited to, a ICMA: What impact do you foresee from the
frequency spectrum auction to improve coverage and introduction of 5G technology on Pakistan’s digital
the quality of mobile broadband internet services, the landscape?
introduction of 5G services in the country, Right of Way
IT Minister: The deployment of 5G technology in
(ROW) fee harmonization, tax reforms, the National Pakistan presents a transformative opportunity to
Fiberization Policy, Telecom Infrastructure Sharing, and
revolutionize the country’s digital ecosystem by
strengthening our international connectivity by adding providing ultra-fast internet, reducing latency, and
more submarine cables with increased capacity. These
bridging the digital divide. It will attract foreign
efforts collectively aim to strengthen the country’s investment, create new job opportunities, and
digital infrastructure, aspiring to achieve 100 Mbps
contribute to economic prosperity. Furthermore, it is
internet speeds and optical fiber coverage for 10–12 expected to boost GDP through 5G-enabled solutions in
million households.
sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, and
a) Upcoming Spectrum Auction: Availability of 560 manufacturing. The technology will accelerate digital
MHz of IMT spectrum in prime bands transformation by enabling the Internet of Things (IoT),
(700/2600/3500...). 500 MHz spectrum assignment Artificial Intelligence (AI), and smart cities while driving
in the 6 GHz band for Wi-Fi users. The upcoming investments in telecom infrastructure.

6 ICMA’s Chartered Management Accountant, Jan-Feb 2025 BACK TO CONTENTS PAGE