Government plans to launch National Roaming in Balochistan except for areas where it does not affect cellular operators’ commercial interests, in order to increase connectivity and facilitate investment in the province, especially in Gwadar.

Brig Amer Shahzad (retired), Director General Licensing Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), revealed this while briefing the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication, Which met with Kauda Babar in the chair here on Monday.

A PTA official said Balochistan will become eligible for National Roaming by June 2023 because it is being treated as a special case. The equipment has already been reached and only switching over along with minor work is remaining which would be completed soon. National roaming would be extended to tourist areas of the country.

The Committee was briefed on the Universal Services Fund’s plans to improve voice and data services in underdeveloped areas. According to officials, many projects are underway to provide the best service to customers in Balochistan. Telecom company Ufone is now providing 4G services on 95% of its towers in Gwadar.

The chairman committee said that mobile internet service is not available in most of the districts of Balochistan, causing difficulties for Balochistan students. He further said that despite the availability of service in many areas, it has been suspended due to security concerns.

The officials said that to further improve the service, national roaming is being introduced in certain areas, which will be available to the users by June next year. Senator Afnanullah Khan while speaking at the briefing said that special attention must be paid to Gwadar and the areas surrounding, due to significant foreign investment. Senator Kauda Babar, chairman of the committee, directed that tourist spots should receive special attention for internet service.