Infrastructure

Pakistan has a well-developed communications infrastructure, and a high degree of computer literacy, coupled with innovations in software development. Its improved service delivery mechanisms, and a growing appreciation of international quality standards, serve to emphasize Pakistan's suitability as a destination of choice for global companies seeking to offshore their business activities.

• Pakistan offers state-of-the-art technology and infrastructure for establishing a world-class ICT setup. 
• Its telecom infrastructure is 100% digital, and provides a robust backbone for providing mission-critical services, such as call centers, ISPs, software houses, voice and video conferences.   
• The fiber optic infrastructure, initially laid during the early 1990s, now accounts for well over 85% of the backbone that supports international and national data exchange. More than 40 Pakistani cities are currently interconnected through fiber optic exchanges, and there are nearly 2950 digital exchanges.
• Tele-density is steadily increasing, and the Wireless Local Loop (WLL) sector is now open to private sector investment. Broadband licenses are open to ISPs since 2004.
• Pakistan offers the most competitive bandwidth charges in the whole Asia Pacific region. A dedicated E1 circuit is currently available at the cost of US$ 2000 only. Pakistan is using 1700 MB of bandwidth for Internet traffic, which is 2.42 times greater than the bandwidth used in 2005.

Pakistan provides strong protection for foreign investors, ranking 19 th worldwide on protecting investors, according to the World Bank report Doing Business In Souon th Asia 2008.