The Government of Pakistan has assigned E-Band spectrum to cellular mobile operators to support high-capacity wireless backhaul, following the recent rollout of 5G services across the country. The move is aimed at helping operators meet the growing data capacity demands of next-generation networks.
The assignment comes after the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority auctioned 480 MHz of spectrum in March for next-generation mobile services. A PTA document states that the E-Band allocation is designed to support the deployment and expansion of 5G networks.
According to the document, tower fiberization currently stands at approximately 17.9 percent. Among operators, Jazz leads with a fiberization level of 22 percent, followed by CMPak/Zong at 19 percent, Telenor at 16 percent, and Ufone at 9 percent.
Under the terms of the NGMS/5G licence, all cellular mobile operators are required to achieve a minimum Fiber-to-the-Site ratio of 20 percent during Phase-I, spanning 2026 to 2028. This requirement will rise in stages, reaching 35 percent by Phase-IV, covering the period from 2032 to 2035. The PTA document notes that expanding fiberization will help operators meet the backhaul capacity requirements of 5G services.
The document further states that the Government of Pakistan is facilitating the provision of Right of Way through policy and administrative measures, aimed at improving the ease of doing business and accelerating network rollout across the country.
PTA officials said operators can deploy E-Band spectrum in areas where fiber connectivity remains unavailable, noting that the band offers high-capacity wireless links capable of carrying the large data volumes generated by 5G networks. Officials added that operators will procure the necessary equipment to utilize the spectrum, enabling faster expansion of network capacity without the need to lay fiber at every site.
Each operator will independently determine where fiber deployment is the more suitable option and where E-Band wireless backhaul offers a more practical alternative, officials said. They also clarified that no additional spectrum charges have been imposed for the E-Band assignment, and that the Frequency Allocation Board will continue approving microwave spectrum allocations as part of the ongoing regulatory process.
Officials said the combination of expanded fiber infrastructure and E-Band wireless backhaul is expected to strengthen Pakistans 5G infrastructure while improving the quality and coverage of next-generation mobile services across the country.
