Pakistan's Rural IT Centers Connected Via EDGE Networks

Telenor Pakistan says that it has launched Telenor Rabta Centers as part of a pilot project involving local communities. These community information centers offer all modern communication facilities under one roof, and use Telenor Pakistan's EDGE network for connectivity. Each center is equipped with two PCs with EDGE data card to connect to the Internet, a printer, scanner, webcam, and a handset with Telenor Pakistan connection.

Commenting on the aims of the project, CMO Telenor Pakistan Sigvart Voss Eriksen said, "We want to establish an easy-to-access point for these communities in order for them to benefit from e-mail, scanning, faxing and printing facilities in their everyday lives. With Information & Communications Technologies (ICTs) becoming an ever-increasing part of our living, there is need for such facilities to be made available in Pakistan's rural and semi-rural areas too. It is well known that efficiency and productivity of a population increases with easy access to ICTs, thus contributing to their well-being and prosperity. Telenor Pakistan with its largest EDGE network will make it possible for these rural communities to connect to the internet, download content, and send and receive data, including digital images, web pages and photos up to four times faster than GPRS. "

The GSMA Development Fund is providing support in project management and facilitation activities for the pilot implementation. This includes working with Telenor Pakistan to develop the business model, secure funding and ongoing project management.

Telenor Rabta Center customers will be able to use the following services: E-mailing, Internet searching, Video Conferencing, Printing, Document Composing, Scanning, CD burning, Faxing, Photocopying, Downloading different forms, EasyLoad, make mobile phone calls, and use a number of other Telenor Pakistan value-added services.

Telenor Pakistan will monitor the performance of the Rabta centers and will decide on expanding the project after a comprehensive evaluation.

Posted to the site on 9th October 2007