The government’s most recent initiative to make technology more widely available has made buying cell phones significantly simpler.
The “Smartphone For All” initiative, which will let people with low incomes purchase mobile phones through simple installments, was introduced today in Islamabad by Federal Minister of IT and Telecom Syed Amin Ul Haque.
The project was started in association with the GSMA and KistPay, the fastest-growing instalment payment provider in Pakistan.
Julian Gorman, the GSMA’s Head of Asia Pacific, also spoke at the event in addition to Amin Ul Haq. Janet White, the head of policy, Major General (R) Aamir Azeem Bajwa, the chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Asif Jafri, the CEO of KistPay, and the CEOs of Ufone, Jazz, Telenor, and Special Communication Organization (SCO) were also present at the launch event.
Asif Aziz, CCO Jazz, suggested that the government discontinue the import and local production of 2G phones, prioritise the local assembly of 4G-enabled smartphones, develop and implement a regulatory cover that allows telecom companies to offer smartphones on installments, and lower withholding tax on essential telecom services from 15% to 8% in order to help an additional 50 million people make the switch to mobile broadband over the next three years. This will accelerate the adoption of digital technology and greatly expand the general public’s socioeconomic options.
Amin Ul Haq, a federal minister, said during remarks at the ceremony that anyone can participate in the programme and purchase a mobile phone by paying 20 to 30 percent of the device’s total price. He said that simply the ID card would be enough to finalise the sale, eliminating the need for any assurances or extensive paperwork.
He added that phones priced between 10,000 and 100,000 rupees would initially be delivered over a period of three to twelve months. Modern software will be utilised in the gadgets, which won’t cost money and won’t be used anyplace else in the globe.
The plan, according to Amin Ul Haq, aims to increase phone accessibility for the general public while also introducing small businesses to e-commerce as a way to take advantage of the industry’s potential.
The initiative has been introduced, the minister continued, to guarantee the availability of cellphones with improved connectivity. In order to provide connection throughout the entire nation, more than 70 projects totaling Rs. 65 billion are currently in development.
