Fiber optic network for 7 Afghan provinces (video)

KABUL (PAN): The Ministry of Telecommunication and Information Technology on Sunday said seven central and northeastern provinces would be linked by fiber optic cables in the next two years.

A private Chinese company, Zhongxing Telecommunication Equipment Corporation (ZTE), launched works on the fiber optic project in 2007 – an extension of 3,300 lines from Kabul passing through Parwan, Balkh, Faryab, Herat and Kandahar.

Initially the project was earmarked to be completed within two years but was delayed due to insecurity in some areas. However, 80 percent of the work has been completed now.

The high density cables can deliver good quality telephone, internet, television and radio broadcasts services at economical prices across the country.

Deputy Minister of Telecommunication, Eng Baryalai Hissam said three contracts were signed with ZTE and two Afghan companies for the second phase of the project.

Under the contracts, costing total of $23.3 million, Parwan, Bamyan, Daikundi, Ghor, Kunduz, Takhar and Badakhshan would benefit from fiber optic facilities, he said, adding the second phase was funded by the World Bank.

Besides enhanced telecommunication services, ample jobs would be created for thousands of Afghans when the project is being implemented, he added.

According to the ministry, fiber optic network would be a bridge between Afghanistan and the countries in the region, and Afghanistan would be linked to Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Pakistan and Iran via the network in the future.PAJHWO/Ataullah Khpulwok