Pak-China Optical Fiber Cable Project

[ghazi52]

Pak-China Optical Fiber Cable Project to Go Live

The Special Communication Organization (SCO), on Thursday, claimed to have upgraded and replaced GSM Network of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and is ready to launch 3G/4G services.
“We have replaced GSM network of AJ&K and are waiting for Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA)’s spectrum (3G/4G) auction, after which 3G/4G services would be launched”, said SCO officials while briefing the National Assembly Standing committee on Information Technology and Telecom, which met with Capt. (Retd) Muhammad Safdar in the chair.

Pak-China Fiber Cable Linkage Project

The committee was further informed that the $44 million Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) project, directly connecting Pakistan and China would be completed under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) by December 31, 2018, providing safest internet route to both countries, said SCO officials.

China is providing 85 percent of the finances for the project while the remaining 15 percent are from the government of Pakistan. This project will enable another high-speed international connection and cater to the rapidly growing Internet traffic needs of both countries.

The project’s objective is to lay an 820km long cable between Rawalpindi and Khunjrab and was assigned to SCO. The physical deployment of the project has already been completed.

When completed, this back-haul fiber optic cable will provide Pakistan with a direct telecom access to China, Central Asian States and from there to Europe and to and from the United States.

The project will not only generate revenue but will also provide a safe route of data traffic between the two countries.

Second Phase of Fiber Linkage Project

A project to expand the fibre cable up to Gwadar – Phase-II of Pak-China Optical Fiber Cable Project establishment of cross border OFC network (Khunjrab-Gawadar-Karachi) – has also been proposed and PC-1 has been submitted to the IT Ministry to provide international linkage along the entire CPEC route.

The project has already been endorsed by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and sitting Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, however, the IT Ministry maintained that there are some legal issues due to which SCO could not be allowed to proceed with it. The matter is pending before the Prime Minister and any decision at the highest level will be implemented, stated a Member of Ministry of IT.

 

[ghazi52]

Gilgit-Baltistan gets 3G, 4G internet service

SCO launches 3G/4G service in G-B.

Residents in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) can now enjoy 3G and 4G internet service provided by Special Communication Organization (SCO), Radio Pakistan reported on Saturday.

An SCO spokesperson confirmed the news, saying the internet service will continue on a trial basis and can be accessed free of cost until further notice.

He said the SCO mobile phone SIMs for this purpose are available at the organisation’s franchises in the area.

Radio Pakistan reported that subscribers have been asked not to pay more than Rs200 after acquiring a receipt for purchasing the Sim.

SCO is a public sector telecommunications service provider, established by the government in 1976. It is responsible for developing, operating and maintaining telecom services in G-B as well as Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

In October 2017, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority announced plans of introducing fast-paced information technology services – 3G/4G – in AJK and G-B, which it said would materialise by February this year.

Last year, the number of subscribers of 3G/4G in Pakistan rose to 44.4 million, which PTA expects will rise further.

The arrival of 3G and 4G service in such remote areas promises to boost commerce, bring socio-economic prosperity for the entire region and also benefit people living along the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor routes in AJK and G-B.

As people of AJK and G-B are heavily dependent on remittances, the 3G/4G service will provide them easy access to the financial services.

The technology will also boost tourism, local economy as well as create job opportunities for local people. The hospitality industry and tourism value chain will also improve as it will make online marketing more efficient and effective.
As transportation in the area is also difficult, better connectivity through modern communication technology is important for its people.

 

[Enigma_]

 

[ghazi52]

Pak China Optical Fiber Project.

Pakistan-China Optical Fiber Cable Project by Huawei & SCO is under construction through a tunnel in GB.

Construction in mountain area above 5000+ meters in northern Pakistan.

 

[Maxpane]

 

[ghazi52]

 

[alibaz]

I believe it is completed and inaugurated in 2018.

 

[ghazi52]

Phase - 1 has been Completed in June 2018.

A project to expand the fibre cable up to Gwadar – Phase-II of Pak-China Optical Fiber Cable Project establishment of cross border OFC network (Khunjrab-Gawadar-Karachi) – has also been proposed and PC-1 has been submitted to the IT Ministry to provide international linkage along the entire CPEC route.

 

[ghazi52]

 

[Ali_Baba]

The fibre optic from China is a brilliant idea - it means it is more difficult to cut Pakistsan off the internet in the case of hostilities with India as all of Pakistan's connections were sea based. It also means, India is more exposed in this area compared to Pakistan ( saltellite connections dont offer that much bandwidth compared to cables ).

 

[ghazi52]

The fibre optic from China is a brilliant idea - it means it is more difficult to cut Pakistsan off the internet in the case of hostilities with India as all of Pakistan's connections were sea based. It also means, India is more exposed in this area compared to Pakistan ( saltellite connections dont offer that much bandwidth compared to cables ).

True..