Internet use to soar manifold in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD- The number of Internet users in the country is constantly increasing and is likely to soar manifold with its spread in nooks and corners of Pakistan in few months.
Sources in the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) said that the current number of Internet subscribers had reached 150,024 and 140 licenses for setting up data networks or Internet services had been issued.
Paknet, alone has the largest number of Internet subscribers with 60,000 connections while it plans to have 50,000 new connections this year. The actual number of Internet users could be higher than the figures recorded as one connection is used by several individuals in many cases.
In addition a large number of people is also benefiting from the mushroom growth of cyber cafes throughout the country. The government is also setting up Internet kiosks at petrol pumps and post offices and 18 such facilities have already started providing this service.
These facilities are very beneficial for those who cannot afford their own personal computers. The government has also drastically reduced the price of Internet bandwidth, making Pakistan the cheapest place in terms of bandwidth prices in the region. Now, the prices of Internet have been brought to $3,000 per megabit per second, while it was $100,000/mb/s a few months ago.
The sources said that Internet access would be extended to the whole of Pakistan within couple of months. In last five months the government has provided Internet access to 80 per cent population in 326 cities, towns and villages.
Indian government has announced Internet a 10 year programme to spread Internet that country, while Pakistan made quantum leap on August 17, 2000 and extended Internet access to 300 town an villages in one go. Before August 17, 2000, Internet was available only in 29 cities. It is an unprecedented growth of Internet in any part of the world. The government is also providing free internet connectivity to universities and educational institutions.
The Ministry of Science and Technology has received 31 projects from the universities to strengthen their computer science departments.
Source: The News
Date:1/11/2001
” 
” 
” 
” 
