PTA launches pilot phase of Rural Telecentre Project
By Asim Hussain

ISLAMABAD—The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has launched the pilot phase of Rural Telecentre Project called “Rabta Ghar”, PTA sources said Monday.
The sources said in the pilot phase, a total of 32 Rabta Ghar are being established in 5 Districts of Punjab, 10 Districts of Sindh, 7 Districts of NWFP, 4 Districts of Balochistan and 2 Districts of AJK.
A PTA official said the rest of the 321 Rabta Ghar will be established after the completion of the pilot phase. In this regard, all the relevant equipment has been provided to Intel and they have started deploying it at the specified locations.
The official said reason for deploying a few Rabta Ghars through a pilot phase first is that if any unforeseen issues are encountered, those could be accounted for before the full fledged launch to avoid any cost overruns and ensure the timely success of the project.
He said each Rabta Ghar is being equipped with a PC, one Wireless PCO, one Internet enabled Wireless set, printer, scanner, copier and fax.
In addition to it, each Rabta Ghar owner will be provided with a comprehensive training from the Intel Dealer and the owner will also be provided a training manual and self-learning CD for future reference.
It may be mentioned here that PTA launched Rabta Ghar project in February 2007 to provide latest telecommunications and internet facilities in rural and far-off areas across the country.
The official said, Rabta Ghar (Telecenter) is a small business setup that provides PCO, Internet, fax, printing and scanning services to small communities.
A “Rabta Ghar” owner can earn approximately 5,000 rupees per month. These Telecenters are for unemployed individuals with at least intermediate qualification. They will arrange a shop or room of the size of 10x12 ft (minimum).
In the first phase of the project, PTA with the support of telecom operators, is establishing 400 “Rabta Ghar” all over the
country.
Telecom operators pledged their support to PTA for setting up these “Rabta Ghar” including PTCL (100), Mobilink (100), Ufone (50), Instaphone (15), Intel (10), Worldcall (Payphones in all Rabta Markaz) while PTA sponsored 125 “Rabta Ghar” bringing the total to 400.
The applications were invited from all over Pakistan on prescribed forms and later the applications were shortlisted as per the eligibility criteria.
In order to filter the unscrupulous applications, PTA verified the shorlisted applications through its Zonal Offices. All the operators that are sponsoring the project were then requested to provide their equipment to PTA for inventory controls before forwarding it to Intel for deployment.