In a groundbreaking move to address the digital divide, the government has unveiled an innovative policy, the ‘Contract-based Smartphones Policy,’ scheduled to roll out on January 15. This initiative, spearheaded by Dr. Umar Saif, the Federal Caretaker Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, aims to make smartphones more accessible to all, particularly those facing financial constraints.
Dr. Saif highlighted the policy’s key features, emphasizing its potential benefits for individuals, including those traveling abroad. The new policy allows users to purchase the latest smartphone models through convenient installment plans, promoting responsible financial behavior and fostering continuous smartphone accessibility growth.
Crafted after extensive consultations with telecom industry stakeholders, the initiative enables telecom companies to provide smartphones directly to customers via flexible installment plans. This move is expected to revolutionize the telecom landscape, making mobile broadband more accessible, especially for low-income segments in Pakistan.
To safeguard investors and prevent defaults, the government has implemented measures such as blocking mobile phones and, in severe cases, national identity cards of defaulters. Dr. Saif underscored the importance of establishing a robust mechanism to ensure the policy’s success and protect the interests of investors.
With this policy, the government aims to bring about a paradigm shift in the telecom industry, creating opportunities for increased mobile broadband usage among economically disadvantaged sections of society.
