Cheaper internet services in Afghanistan soon

KABUL): The Ministry of Telecommunication and Information Technology said they plan to procure broadband internet services at a lower price from foreign telecommunication providers this week — which would slash domestic internet rates.

The government launched the mega nationwide fibre-optic network in 2007, to connected 19 provinces and also linked Afghanistan, Iran and Tajikistan.

Though it was planned that the high-speed broadband cabling project would be completed in 2010, laying works were delayed due to security problems.

Telecommunication Minister Eng. Amirzai Sangin told Pajhwok Afghan News in a recent exclusive interview that they purchased 150 megabytes (MB) from Iran, 350 MB from Uzbekistan and 600 MB from Pakistan.

They purchased a megabyte from Iran at $350, from Uzbekistan at $1,000 and from Pakistan at $160 and sold it at $750, but the ministry was negotiating with service providers for cheaper rate.

“We are talking with the countries on activating STM16 system which can transfer 2,000 MB internet and assist in reducing internet prices in the country,” he said.

Price of internet rates would be cheaper once the ministry manages to procure a megabyte under $160, he said.

“Much part of the internet (services) will be purchased from Pakistan. We want to connect to international internet cables through Pakistan, because many of the cables pass through Karachi Port,” he said.

The new internet rate would be announced end of the week that would also affect price of the third generation (3G) internet services, provided by Etisalat, a private telecommunication  operator, he said.

myn/vp