Zong successfully conducted its latest pre-launch 5G speed tests in Islamabad today. The telecom operator achieved peak download speeds exceeding 1.4 Gbps across various urban topologies. Consequently, these trials actively demonstrate the network’s technical readiness for a nationwide commercial rollout.
Infrastructure & Rollout Strategy
Zong credits these impressive speeds to its optimized infrastructure and strategic spectrum utilization. Furthermore, the company highlights its “output-to-spectrum” efficiency as the primary driver for achieving these performance benchmarks.
The telecom operator plans to launch its commercial 5G network using a distinct “three-pillar” approach:
- Customer Experience: Ensuring a smooth transition for existing 4G users to the new high-capacity network.
- Diversified Services: Expanding digital offerings enabled by 5G capabilities.
- AI-Driven Optimization: Deploying intelligent network self-management to maintain peak speeds during high traffic periods.
Historically, Zong has driven several milestones in Pakistan’s 5G landscape. The company established Pakistan’s first functional 5G trial node in 2019. Subsequently, it completed South Asia’s first 5G international video call in 2020. Between 2021 and 2025, Zong consistently invested in AI-integrated traffic management and vital network upgrades.
The 5G Race is On!
These recent trials mark the second major 5G reveal by a local telecom operator. Last week, JazzWorld CEO Aamir Ibrahim shared early 5G test results from Islamabad’s F-7 sector on X.
Pakistan recently concluded its latest spectrum auction to support future 5G deployments alongside expanded 4G capacity. During this auction, Jazz emerged as the largest spectrum acquirer by securing 190 MHz across four newly introduced bands.
Zong acquired fewer bands than Jazz. However, Zong’s network speeds remain roughly the same and visibly better in critical areas. Specifically, Zong achieved a higher download speed and significantly lower latency compared to the Jazz trial network.
| Metric | Zong 5G Trial | Jazz 5G Trial |
|---|---|---|
| Download Speed | 1,438 Mbps | 1,400 Mbps |
| Upload Speed | 76.7 Mbps | 81.7 Mbps |
| Ping | 9 ms | 11 ms |
| Jitter | 1 ms | 3 ms |
Currently, Ufone has not released any official 5G speed test results. However, the telecom market eagerly awaits their trial data. Once Ufone publishes its numbers, it will be highly interesting to see exactly where they stand against Zong and Jazz. Ultimately, their performance metrics will complete the competitive picture of Pakistan’s upcoming 5G landscape.
Currently, telecom operators have not announced a strict commercial rollout timeline. Nevertheless, these early testing signals confirm that preparations for Pakistan’s next-generation digital infrastructure are actively underway. Soon, higher speeds, lower latency, and stable connectivity will fully enable cloud gaming, high-definition video streaming, and real-time digital services on mobile devices.
