With 5G services on the horizon, Pakistanis expects to see locally assembled 5G smartphones hitting the market soon, starting at an affordable Rs 30,000. Local mobile phone assemblers, in coordination with the government, are preparing to make nearly two million 5G-enabled devices available when services officially roll out.
Officials from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) recently held a meeting with the Mobile Device Manufacturers (MDM) Association, which represents 23 local assemblers and manufacturers. During the discussion, the government assured full facilitation to the industry, addressing hurdles like import regulations and the issuance of Certificates of Conformity (CoC).
Currently, around half a million 5G devices have already been produced by companies including Samsung, Vivo, and OPPO, signaling strong readiness ahead of the spectrum auction, which is expected by the end of next month. Officials said that 5G services could launch in major cities within the next five months, with a phased expansion to other areas.
To make the devices more accessible amid economic challenges, the government encouraged the introduction of installment-based purchase options. Manufacturers assured they would meet the demand, providing smartphones starting from Rs 30,000 and gradually scaling production according to market needs.
Officials stressed that having affordable devices ready, along with spectrum allocation and network infrastructure, will be critical to the success of 5G in Pakistan. Coordination between regulators, operators, and manufacturers will continue to ensure a smooth rollout.