Pakistan Railways is working with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to bring LTE-R connectivity to key railway routes. The Karachi-Sukkur section of the ML-1 project is already being considered for an LTE-R band.
The move comes as Pakistan prepares a broader plan to improve mobile coverage and quality of service (QoS) across major transport routes. The plan covers motorways, highways, railway corridors, tourist destinations, and other areas with limited connectivity.
According to official documents, PTA is working with cellular operators, the Universal Service Fund (USF) and other stakeholders on the coverage plan. The initiative will also push operators to meet their rollout obligations by adding more BTS sites where coverage remains weak.
The plan includes phased 5G upgrades as operators expand their networks. Meanwhile, USF-funded projects will focus on areas that are not commercially viable for telecom companies, including planned deployments on the M-1 and M-2 motorways during FY2026-27.
Infrastructure sharing is also part of the strategy, which could help operators reduce the cost of network expansion. The plan further considers satellite-based connectivity and LTE-R technology to improve communications across railway routes.
For Pakistan Railways, the Karachi-Sukkur section of ML-1 could become an early step toward dedicated railway communications. The railway operator is already engaged with PTA over the allocation of an LTE-R band for the route.
If implemented as planned, the measures could bring stronger mobile coverage while giving railway operators access to more reliable communications infrastructure.
