Pakistan enters 5G era

Telcos begin phased rollout of commercial services.

Pakistan has officially entered the age of 5G, authorising cellular mobile operators (CMOs) Jazz, Ufone, and Zong to begin offering next-generation mobile services (NGMS) across the country.

During the three-round allocation stage of the NGMS/5G spectrum auction, 190 MHz went to Jazz; 180 MHz to Ufone; and 110 MHz to Zong.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) noted that the rollout of 5G commercial services will be done in phases to ensure a seamless experience for consumers, who are advised to ensure that the operating system of their devices is up-to-date and that 5G settings are enabled.

"All CMOs will publish updated lists on their official websites, identifying specific areas where 5G services are available, as well as details of 5G-enabled mobile handset models compatible in Pakistan," said the PTA, which seeks to deliver a smooth transition.

"At this stage, 5G-capable smartphone models included in the published lists, from leading manufacturers, will be able to access 5G services in covered areas. Service availability may vary depending on location, network readiness, and device compatibility."

In February, Samsung partnered with the different CMOs ahead of the launch of the phone manufacturer's 5G-enabled Galaxy S26 series in Pakistan.

At the time, Jazz Consumer Division President Kazim Mujtaba cited the need for device capability and network readiness to evolve together as Pakistan enters its next phase of connectivity.

According to Minister for IT & Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja, the government's goal with Pakistan's 5G policy is to enable sustainable growth in the sector by providing telcos the opportunity to invest in network expansion and infrastructure that will allow them to deliver improved and high-quality digital services.