Afghanistan Signs Contracts to Build 8 New Telecommunications Sites in Provinces
The Afghanistan Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ATRA) has signed contracts with Afghan Wireless and Afghan Telecom companies to construct eight new telecommunications sites. The initiative aims to expand telecommunications and internet services in remote and underserved areas of the country. These projects are funded through ATRA’s development budget.
According to details provided, Afghan Wireless will establish seven sites across the provinces of Uruzgan, Helmand, Balkh, Paktika, and Ghor. Additionally, Afghan Telecom will build one site in the Dasht-e-Archi district of Kunduz province.
ATRA officials stated that, leveraging what they described as an “environment of peace and stability,” the process of expanding telecommunications services throughout the country has accelerated, improving residents’ access to essential telecom services in remote areas. However, residents in some provinces have previously complained about weak signal reception, slow internet speeds, and frequent network outages—issues that require serious oversight and transparent accountability from the Taliban administration and telecommunications companies.
According to ATRA, the nationwide “Access” project, which involves the construction of 530 telecommunications sites across the country, is still ongoing. So far, more than 300 sites have been completed and activated under this program. Information technology experts emphasize that continued investment, infrastructure maintenance, and ensuring equal access to the internet for all citizens are prerequisites for sustainable development in this sector.
