The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications (MoITT) presented a stark reality to the National Assembly today. The government blames fundamental infrastructure failures and rampant theft for Pakistan’s abysmal internet speed. Meanwhile, officials continue making lofty promises about upcoming 4G and 5G network upgrades.
Infrastructure Collapses & Vandalism
Prolonged power outages currently devastate internet connectivity. A lack of reliable commercial electricity places immense pressure on backup systems. Consequently, telecom companies rely heavily on solar energy. However, this dependence cripples network capacity during winter months when daylight hours shrink.
Physical damage also plagues the network. Optical fibre cable cuts and backhaul connectivity interruptions constantly sever voice and data services. Moreover, criminals aggressively target telecom sites. Rampant theft of batteries, generator fuel, fibre cables, and essential equipment destroys service continuity.
Additionally, geography and bureaucracy severely delay repairs. Harsh weather in remote areas halts restoration. Security concerns restrict access to critical regions. Meanwhile, administrative hurdles create further roadblocks. Delays in obtaining right-of-way permissions and the absolute lack of a one-window facilitation system completely choke telecom infrastructure projects.
Lofty MoITT Promises: 4G Upgrades & 5G Rollout
Despite a network crippled by stolen batteries and winter shadows, the IT Ministry projects massive future improvements. Following quality of service auctions, average 4G speeds will reportedly jump from a meager 4 Mbps to nearly 20 Mbps.
Furthermore, the minister anticipates initial 5G speeds will hit roughly 50 Mbps. This 5G rollout will exclusively target provincial capitals before any broader expansion. To support this, operators must install 1,000 new sites annually. Exactly 20% of these must sit in completely new locations. Over the last five years, companies have already installed or upgraded 12,000 telecom sites.
The government is also boosting the fibre-to-site ratio from 20% to 35% to stabilize network reliability. Meanwhile, proposals to expand coverage along highways and rural areas remain strictly under consideration.
Surveys & Penalties
Regulatory authorities maintain an enforcement record. Over the last three years, officials conducted 379 surveys. This total includes 243 quarterly planning surveys. However, over a five-year period, authorities issued merely 43 show-cause notices. Ultimately, they imposed total fines amounting to just Rs. 68.9 million.
