Islamabad: Pakistan has fallen seven years behind in 5G adoption fifth-generation (5G) mobile technology compared to global peers, but authorities say the prolonged delay is set to end with the country’s upcoming spectrum auction.
Officials from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) said 5G services were launched globally in 2019, while Pakistan remains behind all regional countries except Afghanistan, largely due to acute spectrum shortages.
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Severe Spectrum Shortage Holding Back 5G
PTA officials revealed that Pakistan currently operates with only 274 MHz of mobile spectrum, making it the most spectrum-starved country in the region, despite having more than 200 million broadband users and being the world’s fifth-most populous nation.
They explained that although PTA-allocated spectrum is technology-neutral—allowing use across 2G, 3G, 4G, and future technologies—the lack of available spectrum and limited availability of compatible devices have significantly slowed progress toward next-generation networks.
5G Beyond Smartphones
Officials emphasized that 5G is not limited to faster smartphone internet speeds. The technology also enables Internet of Things (IoT) networks, smart cities, and industrial automation through advanced features such as network slicing, which allows operators to create customized virtual networks for specific use cases.
They noted that while Pakistan is still struggling to deploy 5G, countries like the United States have already begun identifying spectrum bands for 6G development, further widening the technology gap.
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Upcoming Spectrum Auction Seen as Turning Point
Against this backdrop, Pakistan’s long-awaited spectrum auction is being positioned as a potential turning point for improving mobile network quality and accelerating 5G deployment.
Government officials and industry analysts said the auction will remain technology-neutral, enabling operators to deploy spectrum across existing and future technologies, including 5G.
Pakistan is expected to receive nearly 600 MHz of additional spectrum, a move that could significantly reduce network congestion and immediately enhance service quality, even for existing 4G and 3G users.
Handset Availability Will Not Delay Rollout
Addressing concerns over low penetration of 5G-enabled smartphones, PTA officials said handset availability will not delay the auction.
Steps are underway to rationalize mobile device taxes and promote local manufacturing. Pakistan already has 37 local mobile phone manufacturers, and PTA is engaging with them to initiate production of 5G-compatible devices.
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5G Rollout Timeline
Authorities believe that once the spectrum is auctioned, 5G services could be launched in major cities within six months. Meanwhile, expanded spectrum availability is expected to immediately strengthen existing mobile networks nationwide.
