USF has been running rural telecom projects to provide basic telephony and data services in several remote areas of Pakistan thus creating opportunities also for the individuals in rural areas to get equal access to ICT facilities.

Rural telecom projects have brought the focus of telecom operators from urban towards rural population. Access to services are being offered by the telecom operators, both through shared access points as appropriate, and to all customers requesting service in the areas covered through the support of the USF, at published national tariffs.

Uptil now, contracts have been awarded for Rural Telecom Projects to provide a subsidy of PKR 4.2 billion in total. All these projects aim to provide services in 12,000 un-served muzas. These projects have started bearing fruits as the number of previously un-served mauzas where service has been provided has reached 3,500. In addition to this, it is mandatory for telecom operators in rural areas where USF is providing subsidy to power their infrastructure through renewable energy sources.So far, 66 Base stations are on solar.