The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman, Major General (R) Hafeezur Rehman, has announced that 5G services are set to launch in Pakistan by April 2025. He shared this update during a session with the National Assembly Standing Committee on IT and Telecom in Islamabad.
The PTA is actively working to attract new companies for the 5G spectrum auction, aiming to expand the telecom market and boost competition. Addressing concerns about the ongoing repair of a submarine cable, which may continue until August 27, the Chairman assured that these upgrades would not cause additional internet disruptions.
Internet Challenges and Spectrum Expansion
Pakistan has faced significant internet disruptions for over a week. The Chairman highlighted that telecom operators currently use 265 MHz of spectrum, while the PTA plans to introduce an additional 567 MHz for 5G deployment. The authority is also negotiating with the government to ensure that this additional spectrum is offered at an affordable cost to encourage broader adoption.
To illustrate the need for affordability, the Chairman noted that Saudi Arabia sold its spectrum at $90,000 per MHz, whereas Pakistan sold 4G spectrum at a much higher price of $29 million per MHz. The PTA’s goal is to keep spectrum costs low to make 5G services more accessible for local consumers.
Related:
- Internet Disruption in Pakistan: Social Media and Freelancers Struggle to Adapt
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