The Universal Service Fund has invited bids for the provision of Next Generation Broadband for Sustainable Development services under a Small Lot, as part of its continued efforts to expand telecom connectivity in unserved and underserved areas. The initiative is aligned with USF’s mandate to reduce the digital divide by improving access to reliable telecommunication services in remote and commercially unviable regions. The latest tender focuses on selected areas of District Dera Ghazi Khan, aiming to support long term broadband availability for local communities.
According to the tender notice, the bidding process is being conducted in accordance with the Pakistan Telecommunication Re organization Act 1996 and the Universal Service Fund Rules 2006, as amended. The tender, identified as NG BSD PHASE 34 2026 01, covers one small lot and will be executed through an open competitive procedure. USF has stated that the project will be awarded using a reverse auction mechanism, under which eligible bidders compete by offering the lowest subsidy required to deploy and operate broadband services in the designated areas. The contractual period for the project has been set at 10 years to ensure service continuity and infrastructure sustainability.
USF has announced that registration for interested bidders will close on January 21, 2026. Bid submissions must be completed by February 3, 2026, no later than 1500 hours, with bid opening scheduled for 1530 hours on the same day. Participation in the auction is limited to USF contributors only. In addition, bidders are required to be active taxpayers, verifiable through the Active Taxpayers List, and must hold valid National Tax Number and Sales Tax registrations. These documents are mandatory and must be included as part of the technical proposal.
To qualify for participation, bidders are also required to submit a bid bond amounting to Rs 5 million for the small lot. USF has clarified that bids submitted after the specified deadline will not be entertained, and the authority reserves the right to reject any or all bids prior to acceptance. Detailed information packages, including registration guidelines, auction procedures, and service requirements, have been made available on the USF website and alongside the advertisement. Bidding documents can be obtained from the USF office after registration and payment of a non refundable fee of Rs 1,000 per lot. The project forms part of USF’s broader strategy to accelerate broadband penetration and support digital inclusion across underserved regions of Pakistan.
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