Hajra Naz
After years of talk, delays, and back-and-forth, Pakistan finally looks ready to roll out 5G services — and the timing is interesting. If things go as planned, the launch could happen around Eid.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has wrapped up the key steps needed to issue licenses, which basically clears the path for telecom companies to start offering next-generation mobile services.
License Ceremony Expected — Big Names Attending
There’s also a formal side to all this. A ceremony is expected at the Prime Minister’s House where companies that secured 5G spectrum will officially receive their licenses.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is likely to attend as the chief guest, along with IT Minister Shaza Fatima, the PTA chairman, and other senior officials. A few federal ministers are also expected to show up, so clearly this is being treated as a big national milestone.
Read More: AmpliTech Brings AI/ML to Next-Gen 5G and WiFi Radios
Telecom Companies Already Prepared
From what’s been reported, telecom companies aren’t starting from zero here.
They’ve already submitted the required $15 million bank guarantees and, more importantly, most of the technical setup is already done. So once licenses are handed over, things should move pretty quickly.
Where Will 5G Start First?
Don’t expect nationwide coverage overnight. That’s not how this works.
The first rollout will likely begin in Islamabad and a few major cities, and even there, it’ll be limited to selected areas in the beginning.
Over time, the network will expand — first within big cities, then gradually into other parts of the country.
Not Just Big Cities This Time
One interesting part of the plan is that companies won’t just focus on urban areas.
Each operator is required to install around 1,000 new sites, and at least 200 of those must be in low-coverage or remote regions.
That doesn’t solve everything, but it’s a step toward avoiding the usual problem where new tech only benefits major cities.
The Auction Brought in Serious Money
The PTA recently wrapped up the 5G spectrum auction, and most of the available spectrum was sold — 480 MHz out of 597 MHz.
The government is expected to generate around $510 million from the process, which is a pretty significant amount.
Read More: Mark Zuckerberg Unveils Meta’s 5GW AI Data Center Project
So… Is This Finally Happening?
At this point, it looks real.
Licenses are ready, companies are prepared, and the government seems eager to move forward. If everything stays on track, Eid could actually mark the start of 5G in Pakistan.
Of course, rollout will take time — and real impact won’t be immediate — but still, this feels like a genuine step forward after years of waiting.
