Smartphones on instalments to become accessible from Jan 15

ISLAMABAD: For those unable to afford mobile devises, the government is introducing a groundbreaking policy allowing individuals to purchase smartphones on convenient instalment plans.

The caretaker government has introduced the ‘Contract-based Smartphones Policy,’ set to be implemented from January 15

Dr. Umar Saif, the Federal Caretaker Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, disclosed the policy’s details, underscoring its potential advantages, especially for individuals traveling abroad who can now access the latest smartphone models through manageable instalment options.

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Dr. Saif emphasized that the policy was crafted after extensive consultations with telecom industry stakeholders. The primary goal is to promote responsible financial behavior and facilitate continuous smartphone accessibility growth.

Under this initiative, telecom companies will directly provide smartphones to customers through instalment plans, making mobile broadband more accessible, particularly for low-income segments in Pakistan.

In an effort to protect investors from defaults, measures like blocking mobile phones and potentially national identity cards of defaulters will be implemented.

The minister stressed the significance of safeguarding investors and establishing a robust mechanism to ensure the policy’s success.

The telecom landscape is set to witness a paradigm shift, as the policy allows companies to directly offer smartphones to customers through flexible installment plans. This move is particularly beneficial for the economically disadvantaged sections of society, opening up avenues for increased mobile broadband usage.