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ISLAMABAD: The highly-anticipated 5G rollout in Pakistan remains marred by uncertainty as conflicting reports about the timeline for its rollout emerge. While the government hints at a mid-2025 launch, delays in the 5G spectrum auction raise doubts about the feasibility of this timeline.
Recent developments suggest that the National Economic Research Associates Inc. (NERA), a U.S.-based consultancy hired by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for the 5G auction, has yet to finalize its recommendations. The initial report submitted by NERA remains incomplete due to delays caused by unresolved issues, including the Competition Commission of Pakistan’s (CCP) decision on the acquisition of Telenor Pakistan by Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) and litigation over spectrum availability in the 2.6 GHz band.
According to sources, NERA’s final recommendations will only be submitted once these issues are resolved. A significant portion—140 MHz—of the critical 194 MHz spectrum in the 2.6 GHz band is tied up in litigation. This leaves just 54 MHz available, which experts say is insufficient for even a single operator to launch full-scale 5G services.
The delay in finalizing the auction report has sparked concerns within the telecom sector. NERA had previously advised that decisions related to the number of cellular mobile operators, especially in light of the proposed Telenor-PTCL merger, must be expedited to ensure a smooth 5G rollout. However, progress has been slow.
Government Confirms Mid-2025 5G Rollout in Pakistan
Despite these obstacles, Parliamentary Secretary for IT Sabin Ghori reassured the National Assembly that 5G services would be launched by mid-2025. During a recent session chaired by Deputy Speaker Ghulam Mustafa, Ghori addressed concerns over slow internet speeds and promised improvements by mid-2025, coinciding with the planned 5G launch.
Responding to complaints about internet disruptions, Ghori humorously referenced ongoing issues with undersea cables, attributing them to a mysterious “fish” cutting internet lines—a comment that drew laughter but highlighted the public’s growing frustration with the slow pace of progress.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information Technology has urged swift finalization of Starlink’s licensing agreement, which could significantly improve internet access in remote areas. The committee aims to complete the process by June 2025, aligning with the government’s 5G launch timeline.
Industry Experts Express Doubts
While the government’s optimism is encouraging, industry insiders remain skeptical. The unresolved legal battles and spectrum availability issues are substantial hurdles. Without swift action from regulators, experts fear the mid-2025 deadline may be overly ambitious.
The ongoing spectrum auction delays underscore the challenges facing Pakistan’s digital transformation. If the pending legal and regulatory matters are not addressed soon, the country risks falling behind in the global race for 5G adoption.
For now, internet users across Pakistan awaits the Competition Commission’s decision and the finalization of NERA’s report, which will ultimately determine whether the government’s 5G ambitions become a reality or remain just another promise.
