The Pakistan government plans to introduce 5G in the country. Its Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication is working on finalizing the policy for 5G and consulting with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority. The former administration had announced that 5G would be available in Pakistan by the first quarter of 2023. Although this date has been pushed back, the government is still considering the benefits of 5G and the challenges that it brings with it.
Benefits
The introduction of 5G in Pakistan will be beneficial for the country’s telecommunications industry, as it will increase speed and coverage. The new technology will also make it possible to connect people through the internet while on the move. This will eliminate the need for internet service providers to install their equipment, broadcast vans to display channel names in bright colors, and large satellite dishes to transmit video.
The technology will improve reliability, which will be a big benefit to the country’s business sector. Without reliable connectivity, businesses could lose revenue and business opportunities. Additionally, 5G will encourage more investment in Pakistan. Businesses and telecom operators will be investing in the technology needed to operate and maintain their businesses, which will create jobs and spur economic growth.
The technology is expected to be 100 times faster than 4G internet service in Pakistan. It will allow users to download 50 gigabytes of data in two minutes. However, the speed of the technology will vary based on the type of connection. Mobile phone makers are currently developing 5G connectivity for their phones, and some have already introduced 5G feature smartphones.
The government has set up an advisory committee to develop a roadmap for the introduction of 5G technology in Pakistan. This committee is composed of members of the four major telecom companies in the country, as well as representatives of the IT ministry and the Frequency Allocation Board. The committee will develop a comprehensive plan for the introduction of 5G, including the utilisation of the available spectrum.
The introduction of 5G technology will provide Pakistan with a competitive edge in the global marketplace. It will allow internet users to download content at lightning speeds, while reducing the need for cables and broadcast vans. Additionally, 5G will improve connectivity, especially in remote areas. This new technology is likely to be available in the market by December 2022.
The development of 5G will make it possible to increase download speeds by up to ten times. It will also broaden the scope of economic activity in the country. The Pakistani government is currently working on a comprehensive roadmap for the next-generation technology and aims to auction spectrum for 5G services by FY23.
Challenges
5G is a mobile communication technology that is based on higher bandwidth and faster speeds. It has the potential to transform industrial processes and applications. Although it is applicable primarily in the developed world, Pakistan still lags behind in this regard. Its use is a key factor in enhancing economic growth, and better connectivity will draw in more investment. The technology will also help in the digitalization of Pakistan. It will connect people with purpose-built and robust technology, opening up new opportunities in areas such as distance learning, public safety, manufacturing, transportation, health, and more.
The government must ensure that 5G services are affordable and widely available. It should establish a medium-term spectrum plan, periodically review it, and ensure that operators successfully deploy it. It should also try to reduce the price of spectrum while maintaining the mandated levels of coverage and QoS. In addition, fibre proliferation is urgently needed to help increase wireless backhaul frequencies.
The telecom infrastructure in Pakistan is facing many challenges. High power costs, poor availability, and difficulty in managing sites are among them. In addition, upgrading the existing infrastructure to 5G poses additional challenges. China Mobile Pakistan, for instance, is focusing on network development and energy optimization for a seamless transition to 5G. The company is a leading provider of 4G in Pakistan and has a strong reputation for innovative technical solutions.
Despite the challenges of introducing 5G in Pakistan, the telecom industry is growing in size and is attracting foreign direct investment. The telecom ministry is targeting the country to roll out 5G by 2023. This target has been warmly received by foreign investors. Recently, the ministry presented its telecom performance to Prime Minister Imran Khan. It also highlighted the government’s plans for deep fiberisation projects, which will expand telecom services in the country’s remotest areas.
5G will require massive amounts of optical fiber and small cells to function effectively. Currently, tens of thousands of cell sites accommodate traffic through microwave radios, but these will have to switch to fiber. It will also require a new wireless backhaul solution, as rain and other elements can interfere with wireless signal transmission.
Timeline
The launch of 5G mobile phone connectivity in Pakistan is a top priority of the government. The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications is in the process of finalizing the policy guidelines for 5G services in Pakistan, with the participation of PTA, Frequency Allocation Board, and other stakeholders. The ministry has evaluated seven bands to support the rollout of 5G services in Pakistan.
The federal cabinet has given permission for cellular and network companies to test the latest 5G technology in the country, and the companies are conducting various tests. The next step is the commercial launch of the technology, which is expected to take place in 2023. With internet penetration spreading to every part of the country, the demand for international connectivity is rising. Moreover, the government is working towards improving existing telecom infrastructure by repurposing spectrum bands and implementing better technologies and services. This will ensure that existing spectrum bands are used efficiently.
In 1920, the Pakistan Posts & Telegraph Department was established. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTTA) plans to auction 5G spectrum in its fiscal year 2022-23. The agency is also working on a comprehensive roadmap for next-generation mobile infrastructure. Experts estimate that the full implementation of 5G networks in Pakistan will take about five to seven years. However, the timeframe is still uncertain because 5G services are still being tested under limited conditions.
Pakistan has been able to complete 5G trials in some regions. The new technology allows for data transfer rates of up to 1.6 gb/s, the highest ever recorded in the country. This new technology will help the country to move forward in its digital economy. Ultimately, the introduction of 5G networks will bring digital prosperity to the country.
Pakistan is currently testing various spectrum bands to support 5G service development. These frequencies include 700 MHz, 2.3 GHz, 2.6 GHz, and 3.5 GHz. In addition, unlicensed backhaul frequency bands are being evaluated.
Spectrum availability
Pakistan has taken an important step towards 5G, starting the process of releasing spectrum for the new technology. With the current 3G/4G subscriber base of 91 million, the country is well positioned to roll out 5G services. As such, the government has hired international consultants to help it in the spectrum auction. The auctioned spectrum will be released in the 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz bands. This will allow cellular operators to expand their 4G operations and transition to new technologies.
As part of the process, the government is establishing an advisory committee to guide the country’s 5G implementation. This committee will be led by the finance minister and comprise of 11 other key ministers. The committee will review available spectrum and prepare a strategic plan for maximizing its usage. It will also consider telecom reforms and incentives to support the development of the 5G ecosystem.
The Telecom Policy 2015 has outlined a process for re-framing the spectrum. The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MOIT&T) will determine what bands are available for 5G in Pakistan. This process will involve a mixture of financial, administrative, and technical measures. In some cases, incumbent users will vacate their spectrum assignments in a band and be allocated to another service.
Pakistan’s telecom market needs major reforms, such as lowering the price of spectrum. Currently, the government sets the base price for spectrum, but many experts suggest leaving spectrum auctions to market forces. The government’s 2004 auction was one of the most successful in the country’s history. The government had expected to make $100 million from each license, but the auction generated $291 million instead.
The government plans to roll out 5G technology in Pakistan by the end of the fiscal year 2022. The government is also introducing the Smart Phone for All project to increase the number of people who can access cutting-edge smartphones. The new 5G technology is expected to make the country’s remote areas more accessible and improve its connectivity.
As more countries across the world are integrating 5G technologies, Pakistan is a prime candidate for a 5G rollout. The country has already attracted $1.2 billion in foreign investment for its telecom industry.
