ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani government has designated 2025 as the year of the 5G rollout in Pakistan, outlining an ambitious plan to upgrade the country’s telecom infrastructure. The targets include achieving an average broadband speed of 50/100Mbps and expanding Fibre-To-The-Site (FTTS) coverage to 60%.
According to a senior official from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the 5G spectrum auction is expected to take place in 2025. “This would be a significant milestone for Pakistan, bringing countless benefits to the country’s digital landscape,” the official stated.
Fixed Broadband (FBB) penetration in Pakistan is currently below two percent. The government aims to raise this figure to 20% within five years. Regarding broadband speed, the target is to achieve an average of 50/100Mbps, compared to the current 15Mbps.
The official acknowledged the challenge of low FTTS coverage, which presently stands at 20%. The government plans to increase this to 60%, aligning with its broader goal of improving telecom infrastructure.
A robust Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) network is essential for supporting 5G technology and bridging the digital divide. In response to the growing demand for OFC to connect base stations, the government has launched a National Fiberization Plan to expand the OFC footprint and improve FTTS penetration.
Additionally, the official suggested deploying 1Gbps connectivity in Islamabad as a pilot project, with plans for nationwide expansion. The goal is to extend the fibre network to 500,000 km from the current 200,000 km.
The PTA’s annual report highlights significant progress in expanding telecom coverage across the country, improving connectivity for millions of users. With the implementation of these plans, Pakistan is on track to become 5G-ready by 2025, paving the way for a digitally empowered future.