5G Rollout in Pakistan
The global shift toward 5G technology is reshaping how nations approach connectivity, innovation, and infrastructure. While countries like South Korea, the U.S., and China are expanding 5G coverage aggressively, Pakistan’s 5G journey has taken a more cautious path. However, momentum is building, and with the right interventions, 2025 could be a turning point.
A Brief Background
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) first announced plans for 5G trials as early as 2019. Since then, multiple tests have been successfully conducted by telecom operators including Zong, Jazz, and PTCL Group, achieving promising speeds and latency benchmarks. PTA even published a comprehensive 5G readiness report, outlining spectrum availability and policy recommendations. You can view the official PTA roadmap here:
https://pta.gov.pk/en/consumer-support/5g
Despite this progress, commercial 5G services have yet to be rolled out nationwide. The reasons range from infrastructural limitations to economic challenges and policy delays.
Key Opportunities for Pakistan
1. Enhanced Mobile Broadband
5G networks promise download speeds up to 100x faster than 4G LTE, with lower latency and higher connection density. This upgrade is crucial in a country where over 50% of internet users rely on mobile broadband as their primary access point. A successful rollout would mean seamless video streaming, faster downloads, and stable video conferencing—particularly valuable in rural and underserved regions.
2. Smart Cities and IoT
The advent of 5G could catalyze smart city initiatives in urban hubs like Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad. Use cases include intelligent traffic systems, automated waste management, and real-time energy grid monitoring. The increased device density supported by 5G is a critical enabler for Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystems, which Pakistan is just beginning to explore.
3. Industrial and Agricultural Innovation
5G’s ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) can enhance operations in sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, and agriculture. Remote-controlled machinery, precision farming tools, and real-time asset tracking could dramatically increase productivity and reduce costs. This is particularly promising for Pakistan’s export-driven textile industry and its agriculture-heavy economy.
Major Challenges Hindering Progress
1. Spectrum Allocation and Licensing
The delay in 5G rollout is partly due to unresolved issues around spectrum pricing and policy frameworks. Inconsistent regulatory decisions and lack of investor-friendly incentives have made telecom operators hesitant to invest heavily in new infrastructure. The PTA is reportedly working on revising spectrum policy, but clarity is still needed.
2. Economic and Currency Pressures
Rolling out 5G requires significant investment in infrastructure upgrades, including fiber-optic backhaul, base stations, and new hardware. With the Pakistani rupee facing volatility, and limited foreign investment inflows, telecom companies are grappling with CAPEX constraints. The depreciation of currency also increases the cost of importing essential equipment.
3. Limited Local Manufacturing and Supply Chains
Unlike countries with domestic telecom manufacturing capabilities, Pakistan is heavily reliant on imported equipment from vendors like Huawei, Ericsson, and Nokia. This dependency introduces risks, especially under global supply chain disruptions or geopolitical constraints.
What Needs to Happen
For 5G to succeed in Pakistan, a few key actions must be prioritized:
- The Ministry of IT & Telecom must streamline spectrum pricing and offer investment incentives for operators willing to build out 5G infrastructure.
- Public-private partnerships can help finance pilot deployments, especially in strategic sectors like logistics, energy, and health tech.
- Telecom companies should collaborate with universities and local tech incubators to explore homegrown 5G use cases, reducing over-reliance on foreign vendors.
- Consumer education campaigns will be essential to explain the tangible benefits of 5G, dispelling myths and driving adoption.
Final Thoughts
Pakistan stands at the threshold of a digital leap. The 5G rollout isn’t just about speed—it’s about economic competitiveness, technological sovereignty, and societal transformation. While challenges remain, the potential gains in connectivity, productivity, and innovation are too significant to ignore. The next 12–18 months will be critical in determining whether Pakistan keeps pace with the global 5G wave—or risks falling behind.