Pakistan is accelerating preparations for the launch of 5G services with new performance targets, regulatory relaxations and infrastructure requirements. Authorities confirmed that local manufacturing of 5G-enabled smartphones has already begun, with around 500,000 to 600,000 units produced so far.
To support a faster rollout after the spectrum auction, operators will benefit from spectrum sharing, eased regulatory conditions and incentives for network expansion. Telecom companies have also been granted one year to make capital investments without upfront spectrum payments, allowing them to focus on improving service quality and infrastructure.
Under the plan, 5G coverage must extend beyond major cities such as Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta. Fibre connectivity will also increase significantly, while minimum 4G speeds are set to rise to 20 Mbps by 2026-27 and 50 Mbps by 2030-35. For 5G, speeds will climb from 50 Mbps initially to 100 Mbps by the next decade, with reduced latency and improved network performance targets.
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