CMPaK: Information and Communication Guide of CPEC
by Mariam Raheem
ISLAMABAD, July 11 (Gwadar Pro) - The trend of digitization in Pakistan is accelerating, and information and communication technology is the cornerstone and key to achieving the short-term and long-term goals of digitization. The cooperation between Pakistan and China in this regard is very commendable. As a bridge connecting the two peoples, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has promoted major social and economic changes in Pakistan. Large number of enterprises have gained synergy under the framework of CPEC.
As a key partner and facilitator of the Digital Pakistan initiative, ZONG provides ultra-high-speed data and voice connections along the corridor. Wang Hua, CEO of CMPaK, said in an interview with Gwadar Prothat in order to maintain digital connectivity in remote areas of Pakistan, CMPaK connects various projects through customized solutions to promote the interconnection of infrastructure, energy and industrial projects.
CMPaK first successfully completed international 5G video call testing to Beijing in 2020.
5G to promote vigorous development of Internet
Pakistan has benefited from digitization, but there is still plenty of room for growth. Demand for mobile connections in Pakistan is growing rapidly, from 13 million subscribers in 2014 to more than 100 million currently. With the new round of information technology revolution and industrial change sweeping the world, the information and communication industry will show a new development trend. Once 5G technology and services are in place, it will also put Pakistan on the road to a digital economy.
The next generation mobile communication technology 5G will provide faster speed and higher reliability than ever before. In this regard, Wang Hua mentioned that 5G brings great hope to Pakistan, “at present, the biggest challenge facing the development of 5G in Pakistan is the preparation of the 5G industry environment, including the penetration of 5G mobile phones, the distribution of spectrum and infrastructure such as fiber/electricity power. CMPaK is in close contact with the Ministry of Information Technology and the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority to develop a 5G road map with the help of all relevant stakeholders. It is hoped that the Pakistani government will give preferential policies in terms of investment and innovation.”
Promoting localization of supply chain
As one of Pakistan's largest foreign investors, CMPaK has invested more than 250 billion rupees in the country's telecommunications market since it entered the Pakistani market. According to a survey conducted by the Pakistan Telecommunications Administration, CMPaK is considered to be the best operator for voice and data services in Pakistan. At present, CMPaK has more than 40 million users in Pakistan, of which more than 27 million are NGMS (3G/4G) users.
As the first operator to deploy OneNet, a platform for the Internet of things, CMPaK also provides long-distance connections to Pakistan’s top ISP. “We believe that the Internet of things is the future of Pakistan, and we are working to make the future of the Internet of things possible. CMPaK works with a number of educational institutions in Pakistan to provide training on the Internet of things platform, which will help students learn the latest technologies.”Wang Hua stressed.
Vigorously serve the BRI, strive to bridge the digital gap
The latest data shows that CMPaK has served 32,000 Chinese citizens and 250 Chinese-funded institutions in Pakistan whose network and technical services cover more than 20 key projects including Gwadar port, Thar Engro Coal Power and the Lahore Orange Line under the framework of CPEC, actively promote the application of information technology in education, health care, employment and other public services, bridge the social gap, persist in building a more advanced and inclusive society, and invest in improving people’s lives.
During the COVID-19 epidemic and Ramadan, CMPaK introduced more preferential rates for customers, taking the initiative to provide communication products and all kinds of epidemic prevention materials free of charge to governments in Pakistan, send public welfare text messages to the community, set up public welfare ringtones and donation hotlines, and undertake basic service network construction projects in Jaffarabad and Karachi, covering 503,000 poor people in remote areas.
So far, CMPaK has been operating locally for more than 14 years, serving over 40 million customers, increasing local mobile phone penetration by 25%, directly and indirectly providing more than 200,000 jobs, paying more than 300 billion rupees (US $1.85 billion) in taxes to the local government, and effectively driving Pakistan's economic growth through information and communications infrastructure construction and business expansion.
