Pakistan to Bring Fibre Internet to 10 Million Homes — National Fiberisation Plan Explained
Pakistan is moving toward a major digital transformation as the government launches an ambitious plan to bring fibre internet to 10 million homes by 2029. This step is part of the National Fiberisation Plan, a long-term project designed to boost high-speed internet access, improve digital public services, and strengthen Pakistan’s position in the global digital economy. With the fast-growing demand for high-speed broadband, this project is considered one of the country’s biggest technology upgrades in recent years.
The government aims to provide 100 Mbps fibre internet to Pakistani households so users can enjoy stable connectivity for online work, education, e-commerce, gaming, content creation, and digital entrepreneurship. As more people shift to digital services, Pakistan’s digital economy requires a strong fibre backbone, and this plan is expected to push the country toward becoming a digitally empowered nation.
What Is Pakistan’s National Fiberisation Plan?
The National Fiberisation Plan is a multi-year strategy designed to expand high-speed fibre-optic networks across Pakistan. Under this project, the government wants to connect 10 million homes with fast and stable fibre internet while improving mobile network stability through better fibre backhaul.
The plan has two major goals:
- Provide 100 Mbps fixed fibre broadband to homes.
- Upgrade Pakistan’s internet ranking into the top 50 countries globally.
Experts say this plan will help Pakistan close the digital gap between big cities and small towns by offering equal access to fast internet. As remote work and online learning become more common, Pakistan needs a robust digital infrastructure to remain competitive.
Why Pakistan Needs High-Speed Fibre Internet
Pakistan’s internet usage is growing faster than ever. People now rely heavily on:
- Online education platforms
- Freelancing and remote jobs
- Online shopping and e-commerce
- Banking and digital payments
- Social media and content creation
- Cloud applications and data storage
However, poor network speed and limited coverage continue to affect the user experience. Many areas still use outdated copper-based networks like DSL, which cannot support modern digital requirements. Fibre internet is much faster, more stable, and more reliable, which is why the government is focusing on FTTH (Fiber-to-the-Home) expansion.
100 Mbps Internet for Every Home — What It Means
Under the new plan, the government aims to provide 100 Mbps fibre internet to households across Pakistan. This will allow users to:
- Stream high-quality videos without buffering
- Play online games with low latency
- Attend online classes smoothly
- Upload and download large files faster
- Use cloud-based tools with ease
This upgrade will also help freelancers, IT workers, and online businesses grow faster, contributing to Pakistan’s digital economy and increasing foreign remittances through services like Upwork and Fiverr.
Infrastructure Gaps and Challenges
Despite the ambitious goals, experts warn that Pakistan still faces major challenges that could slow progress. Some of the biggest barriers include:
- Limited fibre coverage in rural and remote areas
- Weak infrastructure in older towns and cities
- Network gaps that reduce internet speed
- High deployment costs for fibre cables
- Slow right-of-way approvals for telecom operators
Analysts recommend strong public-private partnerships and consistent policies to ensure that the fibre expansion moves forward without delays.
80% Mobile Towers to Be Upgraded with Fibre
To improve mobile internet quality, the government also plans to upgrade 80% of Pakistan’s mobile towers with fibre connections. This step will:
- Reduce network congestion
- Improve 4G speeds
- Prepare the country for future 5G deployment
- Increase network reliability during peak hours
Currently, many mobile towers rely on microwave links, which limit speed and coverage. Fibre backhaul will ensure that mobile signals remain stable even in densely populated areas.
Government, World Bank, and Telecom Collaboration
The National Fiberisation Plan is being developed under the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication with direct support from the World Bank through the Digital Economy Enhancement Project. The government is now hiring a consultancy firm to guide investments, map fibre routes, and plan the rollout strategy.
Officials are also analyzing Administrative Incentive Pricing, which can encourage telecom operators to:
- Use spectrum more efficiently
- Invest in fibre expansion
- Deploy networks in underserved areas
This cooperation will help Pakistan modernize its telecom sector and create a stronger digital foundation.
Experts Warn About Slow FTTH Adoption
Fibre-optic specialist Syed Muhammad Taha Owais says that Pakistan still struggles with slow broadband speeds because of outdated infrastructure.
He highlighted that:
- Businesses in commercial areas benefit greatly from fibre
- Pakistan needs faster FTTH expansion in residential zones
- Public and private sectors must collaborate to speed up deployment
Pakistan currently has over 211,000 km of fibre cables installed nationwide, but experts believe this is not enough to meet the rising digital needs.
Fibre Internet and Pakistan’s Digital Future
IT exporter Dr. Noman A Said emphasized that deep fibre penetration is essential for technologies like:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Cloud computing
- Data centers
- Smart cities
- Internet of Things (IoT)
Without fast and stable internet, Pakistan cannot compete in the global tech industry. Delays in fibre deployment may slow innovation and reduce Pakistan’s chances of becoming a competitive digital hub.
How Fibre Internet Helps the Outsourcing Sector
Another IT exporter, Saad Shah, noted that improving internet quality will boost Pakistan’s global image as an outsourcing destination. Faster speeds will allow:
- Local IT companies to meet international standards
- Freelancers to deliver work more efficiently
- Businesses to expand globally
- More foreign clients to hire Pakistani talent
He said the government has already made progress by improving right-of-way rules, helping telecom operators lay fibre more easily.
Economic Impact of the National Fiberisation Plan
The project is not only a technological upgrade—it is also an economic opportunity. Improved internet access will help:
- Create new jobs
- Support digital startups
- Boost IT exports
- Improve e-governance
- Strengthen online businesses
- Improve financial inclusion
Digital experts believe that Pakistan’s economy can grow significantly if fibre internet becomes easily accessible and affordable.
Long-Term Benefits for the Public
Once fully implemented, the plan will benefit millions of people by offering:
- Faster and more reliable home internet
- Better online learning opportunities
- Stronger business performance
- Improved mobile network quality
- Enhanced government digital services
- Growth in the freelancing and IT sectors
This plan is expected to transform Pakistan into a more connected and digitally advanced country.
Conclusion About Pakistan Fibre Internet Plan:
Pakistan’s National Fiberisation Plan is a bold and forward-thinking project that aims to connect 10 million homes with high-speed fibre internet by 2029. While challenges like weak infrastructure and slow fibre deployment remain, experts believe that the project can succeed with strong policy direction, government support, and private-sector collaboration.
If fully executed, the plan will help Pakistan make a major digital leap, improve global competitiveness, strengthen online industries, and empower millions of citizens with fast and stable broadband connectivity.
FAQs
1. What is Pakistan’s National Fiberisation Plan?
It is a government-led project to connect 10 million homes with high-speed fibre internet and upgrade mobile networks nationwide.
2. When will 10 million homes get fibre internet in Pakistan?
The target year is 2029, according to government planning.
3. How fast will the new fibre internet be?
Households will get 100 Mbps or more under the plan.
4. Which areas of Pakistan will get fibre first?
Urban and semi-urban areas are expected to be prioritized, but the plan aims for nationwide coverage.
5. Why is fibre internet important for Pakistan?
It supports fast internet for jobs, education, business, freelancing, AI, cloud services, and economic growth.
