5G in Pakistan [Table of Contents]
–More About 5G Internet
–Latest Updates on 5G in Pakistan
–Expected Launch of 5G in Pakistan
Update (Dec 9, 2022): Click here to read the latest updates on 5G internet in Pakistan.
Powered by the latest internet broadband networks and cutting-edge technologies, the digital landscape of Pakistan is rapidly evolving. The field of telecommunication now touches different walks of life and plays a significant role when it comes to sustaining economic growth in the country, even during the coronavirus pandemic.
Taking the progress of mobile broadband technology to a whole new level, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has recently allowed non-commercial 5G trials in the country. The authority aims to publicly launch 5G networks in Pakistan in the next couple of years. This means blazing-fast internet speeds will soon be available throughout the country.
In this post, we will learn more about the 5G Internet and the latest updates on its implementation in Pakistan.
So, without further delay, let’s begin!
What is 5G Internet?
5G is the fifth generation mobile broadband technology, which allows Internet users to experience speeds up to 10 gigabits per second. The technology is way more advanced than all the previous generations of broadband cellular networks. For instance, a 4G network can only support up to 100,000 devices per square kilometer whereas the 5G internet can support up to a million devices in the same range, which translates into the support of 10 times more devices.
History of 5G Internet
The 5G broadband network was introduced by Verizon, a leading telecommunication service provider in the US, in April 2019. By the end of the year, Verizon customers living in different US cities were using the very first 5G-enabled mobile devices. After the United States, South Korea and China were among the first countries leading the global race of the deployment of 5G networks.
The testing of 5G network services began during the latter half of 2020 in many developing countries around the world, including Pakistan. The devices that support 5G are also getting cheaper and more easily available to cater to the future network requirements of the users.
Apple, Samsung, Huawei, and Xiaomi among many other tech-giants have recently introduced 5G mobile devices, many of which are also available in Pakistan.
The Latest Updates on 5G in Pakistan
In a recent development, Nokia Corporation, which is a Finnish multinational telecommunications and data networking company, has expressed keen interest in helping Pakistan to develop a roadmap focusing on the growth of the country’s 5G ecosystem.
According to the senior officials of the federal government, the Finnish tech company wants to collaborate with the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) for the development and implementation of 5G services in Pakistan.
While addressing the inauguration ceremony of a technology park at Hazara University, Information Technology Minister Syed Amin-ul Haq said that 5G technology will be introduced in Pakistan by December 2022.
He said the government was also planning to introduce the ‘Smart Phone For All’ project. It’s been envisioned to expand the scope of smartphone usage, enabling 220 million Pakistanis to get hold of the cutting-edge mobile devices for rapid connectivity and communication.
With the provision of high-speed internet access across the nation, the IT ministry’s primary focus is to resolve connectivity issues in some of the country’s remotest regions. To learn more about 5G technology in Pakistan and its related infrastructural updates, continue reading this blog.
As per the latest updates on 5G in Pakistan, PTCL has recently completed successful trials of the new mobile broadband network. Internet data speed of up to 1.6 gb/s, which is the fastest data transfer rate in the history of the country, was recorded in this 5G trial.
According to the Ministry of Information and Technology, the successful implementation of 5G networks in Pakistan will significantly aid the emerging technological environment, resulting in the country’s digital economic prosperity.
Benefits and Deployment of 5G in Pakistan
5G networks in Pakistan will provide greater internet speed, almost 10 times faster than what we experience with 4G networks. The coronavirus pandemic has taught us a lot about online connectivity and how we can keep our daily lives going without even leaving our homes. Fields of e-healthcare, online education, and digital businesses are going to benefit the most after the launch of 5G in Pakistan.
The infrastructure development of the 5G broadband internet is being carried out in the form of a public-private partnership. Three data centers for cloud computing, testing, and trials of 5G have recently been established in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad. Some of the country’s most popular privately-owned telecommunications companies are currently managing these digital facilities.
Is Pakistan Getting 5G By 2022-23?
According to the annual report released by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) at the end of 2020, Pakistan has plans to auction spectrum for 5G in the 2022-23 fiscal year.
The country is also working on a comprehensive roadmap for the next-generation mobile infrastructure. Experts believe that the fully-fledged implementation of 5G networks in Pakistan will take around five to seven years. As of now, 5G services are only tested non-commercially, under a limited environment.
Latest Updates on 5G in Pakistan
In a recent development, the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication has shown keen interest in launching 5G technology next year. The ministry was of the opinion that 5G would help Pakistan to make the necessary progress in this digital age to be ready for new challenges.
The IT minister in collaboration with the Universal Service Fund (USF) has reportedly launched dozens of broadband infrastructure development projects costing PKR 65 billion. These projects are located in remote areas across the country and their expected completion timeline is June 2023.
Govt to Allocate Low Bands for 5G Services in Pakistan
With 5G phones becoming cheaper and widely available, everyone is asking the same question, “when will 5G be available in Pakistan?” But the answer to it isn’t that simple. Well, the change of government earlier this year paired with the uncertain political situation and rising inflation has impacted the progress of many ongoing projects, including 5G. This could also be a reason why the auction of 5G in Pakistan was not held on the communicated date. It has now been rescheduled for December this year.
The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication is currently developing a new framework for 5G infrastructure. It involves the repurposing of the available spectrum bands with better services and technologies. It will increase the efficiency of the existing spectrum.
The IT Ministry is working in collaboration with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), and Frequency Association Board (FAB) for the development and implementation of the 5G network. The launch of 5G in Pakistan is expected somewhere during 2023, which is also tentative. As of now, using 5G services is still a distant dream for over 32 million smartphone users in the country.
Now that we have given you all the latest updates on the development of 5G in Pakistan, it’s time for us to wrap up this piece. How do you think is this next-generation broadband connectivity going to impact our day-to-day lifestyle? Share your thoughts with us by emailing us at blog@zameen.com.
On a side note, you may also like reading about the Digital Pakistan Campaign. It’s a nationwide initiative launched by the government authorities to promote the concept of digitization in the country.
For more informative pieces on the latest technological breakthroughs and real estate developments taking place across the country, keep reading Zameen Blog, the best lifestyle and property blog in Pakistan. Also, if you never want to miss out on any of our latest updates, subscribe to our email newsletter.
