By Ijaz Kakakhel

The Universal Service Fund (USF) has completed four major 3G/4G connectivity projects in Balochistan, improving digital network availability on the national highways and motorways, according to the official data available with Wealth Pakistan.

The network covers a cumulative 2,140.58 kilometers across 21 districts in Pakistan’s southwestern province.

The projects were executed in phases under different highway and motorway segments in remote and underserved regions. The first project, covering NH-10 and NH-25 (Lot-1), spans 701.56 kilometers across Lasbela, Awaran, Gwadar, and Kech districts. This segment was completed in April 2021, marking an early milestone in expanding telecom services in coastal and adjoining areas.

The second project, NH-25 and NH-65 (Lot-2), extends over 573.85 kilometers and covers a wide range of districts, including Lasbela, Khuzdar, Mastung, Kalat, Quetta, Jaffarabad, Nasirabad, Lehri, Kacchi (Bolan), and Sibi. This phase was completed in June 2022 and is considered one of the most extensive in terms of geographic coverage, connecting multiple administrative regions through improved mobile broadband services.

Another key segment, NH-50 and NH-70 (Lot-3), covers 451.36 kilometers across Pishin, Killa Saifullah, Zhob, Sherani, Loralai, Musakhel, and Barkhan districts. This project was completed in November 2021, enhancing connectivity in the northern parts of Balochistan, where telecom infrastructure had historically remained limited.

The fourth and most recent project focuses on the M-8 motorway (Rato Dero–Gwadar), spanning 413.81 kilometers. It connects Larkana, Kambar, Shahdad Kot, Jhal Magsi, Khuzdar, Gwadar, Awaran, and Kech districts. This segment was completed in June 2025 and plays a strategic role in linking interior Sindh with the Gwadar port, supporting both economic activity and communication access along the route.

Collectively, these projects reflect a targeted effort to bridge the digital divide by ensuring uninterrupted mobile broadband coverage along key transportation corridors. Improved connectivity along highways is expected to benefit commuters, logistics operators, and local populations by enabling access to digital services, emergency communication, and economic opportunities.

The USF initiatives align with broader national objectives to expand telecom infrastructure in underserved areas, particularly in provinces like Balochistan, where terrain and low population density have posed challenges for private sector investment.

With all four projects now completed, authorities expect enhanced service reliability and wider network availability across major transit routes, contributing to socio-economic development and integration of remote districts into the national digital framework.

Credit: INP-WealthPk