ISLAMABAD – Pakistan is set to announce its long-awaited 5G spectrum policy in a bid to enhance digital connectivity and accelerate technological growth across the country, state media reported on Wednesday.
Speaking at the 26th meeting of the South Asia Telecommunication Regulators Council in Islamabad, Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima said the government plans to auction more than 600 MHz of spectrum for next-generation services.
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“The government will soon unveil the 5G spectrum policy,” she said, according to Radio Pakistan. “This will not only improve existing 3G and 4G services but also introduce 5G in Pakistan.”
Fatima highlighted that a telecom infrastructure-sharing framework had been approved and new satellite communication regulations finalized, paving the way for satellite Internet services in the country.
She added that the government was also finalizing a “Smartphones for All” policy to make mobile devices more affordable and ensure digital inclusion for all citizens.
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The minister noted that Pakistan now has 200 million mobile subscribers and 150 million mobile broadband users, with data traffic increasing by 70 percent over the past five years. She further said the telecom sector recorded a 17 percent year-on-year revenue growth, while e-commerce had reached nearly $7.7 billion and was expected to surpass $10 billion next year.