Pakistan is preparing to take its first major step toward next-generation mobile connectivity with a 5G spectrum auction scheduled for March 10. The auction, organized by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, is expected to pave the way for faster mobile internet and new digital services. However, the move also highlights how Pakistan compares with several neighboring countries that have already begun rolling out 5G networks.
Across the world, the rollout of 5G technology has accelerated rapidly in recent years. Countries such as South Korea, China, United States and Japan are widely seen as global leaders in the technology.
South Korea was among the first to launch a full commercial 5G network in 2019, marking the beginning of a global shift toward faster and more advanced mobile connectivity.
Maldives: South Asia’s First 5G Launch
Interestingly, the first commercial 5G network in South Asia was launched not in a large economy but in the island nation of Maldives.
In July 2019, the telecom operator Dhiraagu introduced commercial 5G services in selected areas including Malé, Hulhumalé and Velana International Airport, making the Maldives the first country in the region to offer the technology.
Over the years, the network has gradually expanded, and by 2025 more than 70% of the Maldivian population had access to the operator’s 5G services.
India’s Rollout
In South Asia, India has moved quickly to expand its 5G network.
The country officially launched commercial 5G services on October 1, 2022, during the Indian Mobile Congress. Since then, the rollout has grown at a remarkable pace. By 2025, 5G services had reached about 99.6% of districts, supported by more than 469,000 base stations across the country.
Major telecom companies such as Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel invested heavily in expanding infrastructure. Within just a few years of launch, India’s 5G user base has crossed 400 million subscribers, making it one of the largest markets for the technology.
China’s Massive 5G Network
Pakistan’s northern neighbour, China, has developed the world’s largest 5G network.
The country launched commercial services in October 2019, when telecom giants China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom began nationwide deployment.
Since then, China’s expansion has been unprecedented. By 2025, the country had installed more than 4.8 million 5G base stations and recorded over 1.1 billion 5G users.
The technology is now widely integrated into sectors such as smart manufacturing, logistics and digital healthcare.
5G in Bangladesh
Bangladesh officially entered the 5G era on September 1, 2025, when the country’s major telecom operators began rolling out commercial 5G services.
The first to launch was Robi Axiata PLC, which activated its 5G network in select parts of Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet on that day.
Soon after, Grameenphone announced its own 5G rollout across all eight divisional cities, bringing next‑generation connectivity to a wider urban audience, and 5G services are available at current 4G prices
5G in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has conducted several 5G pilot projects since 2019, with telecom company Dialog Axiata among the operators testing next-generation connectivity.
Now, it has officially moved into the public 5G era, with commercial services now available after spectrum licenses were allocated by the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka at the end of 2025.
Although Pakistan is entering the 5G era later than many of its neighbors, the upcoming auction could mark an important step for the country’s digital development.
Faster mobile connectivity has the potential to support new industries, strengthen the technology sector, and improve online services for millions of users. But the question arises: will benefits reach everyday users across cities and towns, or remain limited to a few urban centers?
