Telenor Pakistan brings 4G to Gilgit Baltistan

ISLAMABAD -Telenor Pakistan is leading another leap to empower Pakistani society with 4G services at Gilgit Baltistan. To bring the benefits of digital communication to Gilnor Baltistan people, Telenor Pakistan used cutting-edge technology.

ISLAMABAD -Telenor Pakistan is leading another leap to empower Pakistani society with 4G services at Gilgit Baltistan. To provide the Gilgit Baltistan people with the benefits of digital communications, Telenor Pakistan relocated its network sites to Gilgit and Skardu to use state-of-the-art satellite solutions.

Gilgit Baltistan is one of the highest mountain ranges in the world where it is difficult to install fiber optics due to geographic terrain and extreme weather. To provide telecommunications services, Gilgit Baltistan was primarily provided with legacy VSAT satellite networks. As a smart alternative, Telenor Pakistan is currently using the O3b satellite network to provide 4G services, the constellation of numerous satellites 8,000 km away from Earth. This low altitude reduces latency by up to four times, making it equivalent to long-distance fiber optic transmission.

“In an increasingly digital world where connectors require growth and development opportunities, Telenor Pakistan is pleased to extend the benefits of high-speed mobile broadband to the people of Gilgit Baltistan, which were not possible using traditional methods. Wahab Khan, CEO of Pakistan Telenor and Head of Emerging Asia Cluster at Telenor. “It's a proud moment for us, and it shows our firm commitment to connecting and empowering underprivileged communities in Pakistan. Welcome to this age of high-speed connections, with the ambition of the people of Gilgit Baltistan to continue to provide and improve services in the region. ”

Hafiz Hafeez ur Rehman, Secretary of Gilgit-Baltistan, said: “Thanks to their continued efforts to bring 4G to the people of Gilgit Baltistan and help Pakistan achieve its digitalization goals. We are moving toward a future where technology is the cornerstone of the whole socio-economic progress, and it will definitely fall behind if we are not prepared. We are proud that Pakistan's ICT sector contributed to Telenor Pakistan through a bold initiative to empower our digital comprehensive agenda, especially Pakistani society. As we plan to transform Pakistan into a knowledge economy, continued support from key technology players like Telenor Pakistan will help us reach new milestones. ”

Telenor Pakistan launched the 3G test via O3b satellite in Gilgit Baltistan at the end of 2015, making it the first national operator to explore the rough terrain of the region to provide mobile and broadband connectivity. Then in 2018, the company provided 4G services to the port city Gwadar with state-of-the-art satellite solutions. Gwadar will emerge as a regional and global maritime hub that requires quality NGMS services, while developing CPEC-related developments with strategic location, enormous economic and geopolitical potential.

The launch of 4G services in Gilgit Baltistan is a continuation of Telenor Pakistan's continuing effort to provide easy and affordable access to the mobile internet. Telenor Pakistan has reached and empowered people through connections that have never reached other networks before, and the latest initiatives have been added to this tradition of supporting and facilitating digital inclusion for the masses. Telenor Pakistan has more than 44 million cellular subscribers and 15 million high-speed data users, and not only network coverage, but also an inexpensive 3G / 4G device and handset portfolio that fuels the growth of NGMS across the country.