Pakistan is moving closer to launching 5G services as the country prepares for a long-awaited spectrum auction, with telecom regulators saying key hurdles have now been addressed after years of planning.
Speaking at an event on Tuesday about the upcoming rollout, the chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) said the moment many had been waiting for had finally arrived. He said several government institutions worked together to resolve technical, regulatory and policy challenges that had delayed the process in the past.
According to the PTA chief, bodies including the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), the Frequency Allocation Board (FAB), the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and international consultancy firm National Economic Research Associates (NERA) played an important role in preparing the groundwork for the auction.
He said improving the quality of telecom services remains a major priority for regulators, noting that limited spectrum availability has long been one of the main problems facing Pakistan’s telecom sector.
To address this, different frequency bands will be used for specific purposes once the auction is completed. The 700 MHz band is expected to expand connectivity in rural and remote areas, the 2.6 GHz band will strengthen existing 4G services, while the 3.5 GHz band will serve as the primary foundation for the rollout of 5G services.
“Data connectivity has become a livelihood for every sector of the economy. The digital highway is the engine for Pakistan’s growth,” he said, stressing that high-speed internet would play a crucial role in digital transformation, economic development and innovation.
Officials also said that preparations for 5G have not been without challenges. Issues such as electricity shortages, right-of-way permissions for infrastructure and financial pressures within the telecom sector slowed progress in recent years.
However, the government has taken steps to address many of these obstacles ahead of the planned auction.
Pakistan has been discussing the launch of 5G for several years, but the process was repeatedly delayed due to regulatory complexities and market conditions. Authorities now believe the upcoming spectrum auction could finally open the door for next-generation mobile internet services in the country.
With much of the groundwork now in place, the PTA chief said the responsibility now shifts to telecom operators to invest in infrastructure and deliver better services once the spectrum becomes available.
