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USF all set to thrive in Telemedicine NetworkUniversal Service Fund (USF)has awarded a contractworth Rs. 59 Million to setuptelemedicine networks aroundRawalpindi, Karachi and Multan,using the already deployedBroadband Networks. Thecontract between Oratier Technologiesand USF was signed byCEO-USF, Parvez Iftikhar andDirector (Projects) Oratier, Zia ulIslam in the presence of FederalSecretary IT, Mr. Saeed AhmadKhan at the Ministry of IT.The project was approved bythe Board of Universal ServiceFund, in it’s 25th Board Meetingchaired by the Prime MinisterSyed Yusuf Raza Gilani in hiscapacity of being the Minister ofIT. The Prime Minister directedthat steps should be takento also include flood strickendistricts like Nawabshah, MirpurKhas, Umerkot and Sanghar inthe telemedicine network. Inclusionof cities of Bahawalpur,Rahimyar Khan, Rajanpur, DGKhan, Qadirpur, Shuja'abad Mianwaliand Kharian is also beingplanned.Through the project, USF aims todemonstrate that the Optic Fiberand the broadband networks beingfunded can easily be used forproviding e-healthcare facilities.Jinnah Post Graduate MedicalContd. from page 55from the rupee devaluation, theenergy crisis, the security situationand inflation which hasgreatly reduced the disposableincome of the common citizensof this country. However, theindustry has proven itself to beremarkably resilient and thereare some notable achievementsthat the industry can be proudof he added.Center- Karachi, Nishtar MedicalCollege-Multan and Holy FamilyHospital-Rawalpindi will beconnected with 12 remote sitesto set up three pilot telemedicinenetworks. Remote sites inthe pilot project include Thatta,Dadu, Badin, Nowshehro Feroz,Chakwal, Talagang, Murree, Domail,Vehari, Khanewal, Lodhranand Muzaffargarh. Each ofthese remote sites will providefacilities of digital stethoscope,digital derma-scope, portableultrasound, digital ECG and customizedtelemedicine softwareto the patients at their hometownsincluding video consultationswith the specialists sittingin the three main hospitals.As for the rest of the USF programmes,in broadband program,256 previously unserved townsnow have more than 334,000USF-funded broadband connections.Subsidy winning serviceprovidersare obliged to providefree broadband internet to allhigher-secondary schools, librariesand colleges in their areas. Sofar 943 such educational institutionshave been covered. In OpticFiber Connectivity Program,3,630 Kms of Optic Fiber Cableshave been laid through subsidycontracts which will connect 102unserved Tehsils with 6,523 Kmsof cables, mainly in Balochistan.To take broadband internet tothe villages, USF has launchedanother Program. A pilot projectof that program is also underimplementation aiming to bringthe most modern e-Servicesthrough broadband, down to thevillage level.Chairman PTA inugurates Transworld's Data CenterHe said that Cellular servicecoverage is one of the best inthe region; the cellular subscribershave crossed the 100 millionmilestone, there are multiplebroadband options available tothe consumer in every nook andcorner of Pakistan, there aremore than 1.5 million broadbandconsumers in Pakistanwith the industry doubling yearto year and 4 operational longhaul networks in the countrythat connect various cities ofPakistan. He said that with theincrease in broadband adoption,the need of the hour for Pakistanis to continue to improveits internet infrastructure. Headded that Internationally thereare two independent operatorsthat connect Pakistan to theAt this occasion, Secretary ITsaid that with such constantefforts, Ministry of IT willundertake more programmes inthe future for the promotionof telecom related services. Hesaid that he is also positivethat this fund will keep servingas a source of inspiration foreveryone.He further said that Ministrywill keep intensifying its effortsto promote ICTs for the sustainabletechnological developmentand prosperity of the country inthe future as well.Apart from Secretary IT, AdditionalSecretary IT, Mr. NadeemAshraf, Member Telecom, Dr.Ismail Shah and other high officialsof the Ministry of IT andUniversal Service Fund were alsopresent.internet and every destinationof the world. Transworld beingone of these.Dr. Mohammed Yaseen said thatTransworld’s new data center isunique due to its location andstate of Art Technology and newapplications and contents canbe hosted with minimum capex.Later he inaugurated the DataCentre.December 2011www.teletimesinternational.com61