Pakistan Institute of Development Economics

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Internet For All – Reality Or Pipe Dream?
P & R Vol.2 Issue 8
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Internet For All – Reality Or Pipe Dream?

Publication Year : 2021
Author: Obaid Khan

Around the globe, conventional jobs are being replaced by technology-related jobs. As most of these jobs employ cutting-edge technologies such as AI, 3-D printing, drones, big data and blockchain etc. they rely heavily on the provision of reliable internet access. The telecommunications sector, arguably the most dependent sector on the internet, has the potential of creating an enabling environment which gives people access to health, education, agritech, e-commerce, fintech, etc., creating jobs in the process. The scope of the Pakistani economy to create such jobs will be limited if the country fails to provide widespread and reliable internet access, in terms of speed and quality, to its people. In this essay, I will highlight some of the challenges faced by Pakistan in providing internet access to its citizens as well as briefly suggest possible solutions to these problems.