ASADABAD (Pajhwok): Construction work has been initiated on 26 telecommunication sites in mountainous areas of eastern Kunar province at a cost of 182 million afghanis, an official announced on Tuesday.
Abdul Wali Marshal, Director of Telecommunications and Information Technology, told Pajhwok Afghan News that upon completion, 90 percent of the province's residents would gain access to internet and telephonic services.
He said: “Considering the needs and demands of the people, we have launched efforts to provide telecommunication and internet services in various mountainous areas of Kunar where no telecom networks previously operated.”
Marshal recalled that during the previous government, only 40 percent of the province had telecom coverage. Over the past three years, this figure rose to 75 percent.
He believed that the activation of these 26 new telecommunication sites would extend coverage to 90 percent of Kunar's areas.
He added that work on extending fiber optic lines to three districts of the province was ongoing and was expected to be completed soon.
Meanwhile, residents of the province voiced satisfaction with the provision of telecommunication and internet services in the mountainous areas.
Aminullah, a resident of Karangal in Manogai district, said: “In our area, where tens of thousands of people live, we lack telecommunication and internet services. We are now happy that the Islamic Emirate is providing us with telecommunication facilities.”
Similarly, Naqibullah, a resident of Watapur district, said telecommunication services in his area were limited, causing difficulties for residents.
He called on the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) to ensure robust internet services for them in this digital era.
Kunar, with its predominantly mountainous geography, still has many remote and valley-dwelling residents without access to telecommunication and internet services.
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