By Aitizaz Hassan ISLAMABAD, March 16 (INP-WealthPk): Zong, a brand operating under China Mobile Pakistan, is making special network arrangements around different projects of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Zong has developed 18 Dedicated Internet Access (DIA) points on the CPEC route, which are designed for businesses needing greater internet capacity and a secure dedicated connection between their existing Local Area Networks (LANs). According to a Pakistan Telecommunication (PTA) report, Zong 4G is a primary connectivity provider in CPEC projects with its unmatched network footprint and high-speed data products and services accelerating digital penetration in the country. Zong is becoming the backbone of connectivity for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the CPEC, which aims to promote communication across Pakistan through a network of highways, railways, and pipelines in addition to energy, industrial, and other infrastructure development projects. The report says Zong 4G personnel worked day and night to set up a 4G network at Thar coal project. The company is now an active contributor around Thar Coal project with dynamic communication network from the project’s side. Thar coal is one of the CPEC’s key projects, which is located in the desert of Sindh province with no network coverage. Zong has also provided its digital services for CPEC projects. According to PTA, Zong 4G is currently providing Information Communication and Technology (ICT) services at Karakorum Highway (KKH) Phase II, Karot Hydro Project, Suki Kinari Hydro Project, Dawood Wind Power, Port Qasim, HUBCO Coal Power Plant, Sahiwal Coal Power Plant, and Zonergy Solar Projects.  The services include smart phones for users, mobile broad band (mbb), wi-fi devices and customer acquisition platforms to small businesses. During the fiscal year 2020-2021, Zong has increased its subscribers in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan, an essential area of the CPEC. According to PTA, one million mobile subscribers were added to the Zong network in AJ&K and GB in the fiscal year during 20-21. Similarly, Zong added 509,118 broadband subscribers and fix 386 cell towers in AJ&K and GB in 20-21 fiscal year. The report says 40 million mobile consumers joined the Zong network in the country during FY 20-21, while 2.7 million internet users joined the broadband service of Zong during the same period. According to the spokesperson for Zong Junaid Shafqat, it is their priority to strengthen connectivity for CPEC project as well as between the people of China and Pakistan. He said with Zong 4G’s unrivaled data connectivity, the region is expected to achieve a significant economic uplift. The company will also help immensely further promote tourism in Pakistan and support connectivity for CPEC projects. Junaid said Zong 4G is the only network in Pakistan to offer unlimited calls to China. The company has also launched special call bundles for China. The bundles developed for both pre-paid and post-paid customers will provide ease to both private and business customers by enabling calls to China at the lowest rates in the industry.