Pak-China Fibre Optic Cable to Start Commercial Operations by Year-End

A Pak-China fibre optic cable will start commercial operations by the end of this year. This project is a part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and it will generate a major revenue for Pakistan in near future. Moreover, it provides the shortest route for Chinese telecom companies.

The project was inaugurated by Caretaker prime minister Nasirul Mulk a few weeks ago, but it will start the functions by the end of this year.

Pak-China Fibre Optic Cable to Start Functioning by end of 2018

This fibre optic cable project is owned by the military-run Special Communication Organisation (SCO) while its engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor is Huawei. Total expenditure on the initiative is $44 million supported by Exim Bank of China with 85% concessionary loan.

Huawei Project Director Ashraf Malik said:

Phone calls will come from China to Pakistan through the fibre optic cable and then they will be routed to Middle Eastern countries, Europe, Africa, Iran and Afghanistan. Pakistan will receive a massive response from Chinese companies

According to the project director, the Chinese telecom companies would be charged for using the network by Pakistan. Let’s see how Pakistan will maintain and utilize this traffic for commercial operations.

The completion time was targeted for three years, but work has completed in just one year and nine months.

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