ISLAMABAD: Telenor Pakistan and China’s ZTE Corporation have achieved a new data transmission record of 1.9 gigabits per second (Gbps) over a distance of 11.6 kilometers, according to a statement by the latter company on Tuesday, marking the highest transmission speed recorded in Pakistan.
The trial, conducted on Telenor’s live network, tested next-generation microwave transmission technology aimed at improving network capacity and performance. The test utilized state-of-the-art Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) technology, which allows for faster data transmission over longer distances.
“This achievement reflects our strategic focus on enhancing network efficiency and delivering superior data experiences to our customers,” said Awais Vohra, Chief Technology Officer of Telenor Pakistan, was quoted in a statement circulated by ZTE.
“By deploying cutting-edge MIMO technology, we aim to strengthen network performance and expand our capacity,” he added.
Li Ningtao, Chief Marketing Officer of ZTE Pakistan, said the trial underscores the potential of “microwave backhaul technology” to meet evolving network requirements.
“ZTE is dedicated to providing high-capacity, easy-to-deploy transmission solutions that simplify operations and maintenance,” he maintained. “Our goal is to offer flexible, leading-edge solutions that support the future evolution of mobile networks.”
Telenor Pakistan and ZTE said they would continue collaborating to push the boundaries of telecommunications technology in the country, with the goal of providing advanced connectivity solutions to both individuals and businesses.
The successful trial can turn out to be a significant step in improving Pakistan’s telecommunications infrastructure, which is key to expanding high-speed Internet services in the country.
Telenor Pakistan, ZTE claim record for data transmission speed in telecom trial
https://arab.news/jmeqs
Telenor Pakistan, ZTE claim record for data transmission speed in telecom trial
- Both companies achieve 1.9 gigabits per second of transmission over a distance of 11.6 kilometers
- Trial can help improve Pakistan’s telecom infrastructure and expand high-speed Internet services
Pakistan steps up EU trade engagement as India deal raises export fears
- Deputy PM chairs inter-ministerial meeting, calls GSP+ “crucial” for growth
- Move follows India–EU trade pact that industry warns could hit exports, jobs
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Friday chaired a high-level inter-ministerial meeting to review and strengthen trade and economic relations with the European Union, as Islamabad scrambles to safeguard market access following India’s new trade deal with the bloc.
The meeting is part of a broader diplomatic and policy push this week after India and the EU confirmed a free trade agreement granting Indian exporters sweeping tariff-free access to Europe — a development Pakistani exporters and analysts warn could erode Pakistan’s competitiveness, particularly in textiles, its largest export sector.
The EU is Pakistan’s second-largest export market, accounting for about $9 billion in annual shipments, mostly textiles and apparel. Industry leaders have warned that India’s tariff-free access could undercut Pakistan’s long-standing advantage under the EU’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), which allows duty-free access in return for commitments on labor rights, human rights and governance.
At Friday’s meeting, Dar emphasized the centrality of GSP+ to Pakistan’s trade strategy with Europe.
“He emphasized that GSP Plus remains a crucial framework for mutually beneficial trade and underlined the need to maximize its potential for Pakistan’s economic growth,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.
Dar also stressed the importance of enhancing trade cooperation with the EU and exploring new avenues for economic engagement, as Pakistan assesses how to respond to shifting trade dynamics in Europe.
The inter-ministerial huddle follows a series of rapid consultations this week, including a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the EU’s ambassador to Pakistan, as well as briefings by trade bodies to Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on the potential impact of the India–EU agreement.
Exporters have warned that unless Pakistan lowers production costs, particularly energy tariffs, and secures continued preferential access, the country could face declining market share in Europe and job losses across its labor-intensive textile sector.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office has said Islamabad is aware of the India–EU agreement and continues to view its trade relationship with the EU as mutually beneficial, but officials acknowledge that the new deal has intensified pressure to defend Pakistan’s position within the bloc.
