In continuation to various recommendations discussed during Broadband Open Dialogue session, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has formulated a Broadband Stakeholders Group (BSG). First meeting of said group was held at PTA Headquarters. The meeting was presided over by Dr. Mohammed Yaseen, Chairman PTA and attended by representatives from Ministry of Information Technology, Universal Service Fund, Pakistan Software Houses Association, PTA, Broadband Service Providers, Cellular Mobile Operators, Telecom Vendors and Academia.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Mohammed Yaseen, highlighted the vision behind establishing Broadband Stakeholders Group. He said that primary objective is to improve coordination among various industry players, provide them a common platform to share their ideas and draft recommendations for improving proliferation of Broadband services in the country.

The participants appreciated PTAâ??s initiatives for proliferation of Broadband services in the country. The BSG members were of the view that such harmonized efforts for escalation of Broadband would deliver substantial benefits to the Industry as well as the society. After discussion it was decided that 256 kbps would be considered as minimum Broadband functional definition and a broadband subscriber base of 5 Million would be the target for next three years.

BSG members were briefed on proposed working areas of BSG which included Broadband Infrastructure, Broadband Content and Applications Take-Up, Broadband Policy and Regulation Framework and Rural Broadband Connectivity. The participants were also briefed about the structure of BSG along with proposed timeline for key activities of the group.

Dr. Aamir Matin, Country Manager Cisco Pakistan was chosen as the Chairman of Broadband Stakeholders Group. It was decided that the BSG members would finalize their recommendations within six months time period.

Khurram Ali Mehran

Deputy Director(PR)