Pakistan aims to launch commercial 5G services in its seven largest cities by 2025, with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority scheduling the official 5G spectrum auction for March 10 2026. The coordinated rollout and auction are designed to close the digital gap, boost broadband speeds, and attract investment in next‑generation mobile infrastructure across the country.
5G Rollout Plan for Major Cities in 2025
Phased Deployment Strategy
The federal IT Minister announced that 5G networks will debut in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, followed by four additional urban centres. Operators must meet strict quality‑of‑service benchmarks before expanding coverage, ensuring a reliable launch that aligns with the “Digital Pakistan” agenda.
2026 5G Spectrum Auction Details
Frequency Bands and Auction Process
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority will conduct the “Spectrum Auction for Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS)/5G” on 10 March 2026. Key bands include the globally used 3.5 GHz and 26 GHz frequencies. The auction will be transparent, open to all licensed carriers, and will determine the licences needed to build 5G infrastructure in the selected cities.
Readiness Challenges and Device Compatibility
Infrastructure Gaps Compared to Regional Peers
Analysts note that Pakistan trails neighboring markets in base‑station density and affordable 5G‑enabled handsets. Addressing these gaps is essential to avoid a digital divide and to ensure that the network can support the high data rates promised by 5G technology.
Economic and Consumer Benefits of 5G
Speed, Latency, and IoT Opportunities
5G can deliver download speeds up to ten times faster than 4G LTE, dramatically lower latency, and massive IoT capacity. These improvements enable precision farming, real‑time factory automation, and other high‑value applications that can boost productivity across key economic sectors.
Impact on Consumers and Device Market
For end‑users, 5G promises smoother streaming, reliable video conferencing, and new experiences such as augmented‑reality apps. Realising these benefits will depend on expanding the availability of affordable 5G smartphones and other compatible devices.
Regulatory Outlook and Investment Potential
Revenue Generation and Digital Inclusion
The upcoming auction is expected to generate significant state revenue, which the government plans to reinvest in broadband expansion for underserved rural areas. Clear timelines provide certainty for domestic and foreign investors targeting network upgrades, tower construction, and related infrastructure projects.
Future Outlook for Pakistan’s 5G Landscape
Key Milestones and Stakeholder Roles
Pakistan’s dual‑track approach—city‑level 5G rollouts in 2025 and a nationwide spectrum auction in 2026—sets a fast‑track path toward modern mobile connectivity. Success will hinge on coordinated efforts among regulators, telecom operators, device manufacturers, and consumers, ultimately closing the digital gap with regional peers.
