Islamabad - State Minister for Information Technology Anusha Rahman on Monday said that consumers in Pakistan would be availing complete broadband services by 2018.

Addressing the inaugural session of a three-day Roundtable Collaborative Regulation for Smart Digital Societies, she said Pakistan would be the first ever country to adopt Over-The-Top(OTT) framework for Information Technology.

She said the government was focusing on the development of remote areas and women development through technology. She hoped 5-G technology would be introduced in the country by 2020.

Anusha said that consumer rights and privacy were big challenges for the IT regulators, and the conference would be helpful in minimizing the level of threat from these challenges.

In his opening remarks, PTA Chairman Dr Syed Ismail Shah said the conference would provide an opportunity to develop regional and professional connectivity among the countries. He said the country was heading towards fifth generation technology.

The conference is discussing issues relating to telecommunication, cyber security, mobile banking and access to modern telecom services.

Delegates from more than 23 countries, including China, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, are participating in the conference.

The regulator Roundtable is the 6th consecutive event, after the Asia-Pacific region announced to organise it.

The objective of the event is to provide a platform to telecommunication/ICT regulators in the region to initiate dynamic and strategic discussions based on sharing information and relevant experiences.