Pakistan is scheduled to begin the commercial rollout of 5G services by mid-August, 2026. While telecom operators have already placed orders for necessary equipment, the transition faces a hurdle as only five percent of existing mobile handsets in the country are currently compatible with the technology.
Industry officials have confirmed that limited testing is underway at specific locations where hardware is already installed.
Despite the progress, iPhone users in Pakistan may not have access to these services until 2027. Apple has reportedly informed the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication that it will evaluate local market size before enabling 5G support for its devices in the country.
The reduced market share for Apple is attributed to high taxes on imported handsets.
In contrast, 5G functionality is already operational on compatible Samsung devices and other brands within the local market.
Among the operators, Jazz has established 5G services at 150 sites. The company intends to reach 1,000 sites in its first phase, with a target of 2,500 sites by December.
To address the lack of compatible hardware, telecom companies have suggested a government-backed installment plan for mobile phones.
Although local manufacturers have started producing 5G-ready devices, current availability remains low.
To prevent financial losses, operators proposed that individuals who default on phone payments should be barred from obtaining SIM cards from any provider.
Previous private financing attempts saw default rates between 30 to 40 percent.
The proposal for installments has seen internal industry disagreement. Zong opposed the move, suggesting that competitors like Jazz and Ufone would have an unfair advantage due to their affiliations with banking institutions.
Additionally, industry representatives continue to lobby for tax reductions, arguing that the current fiscal burden hampers investment and internet penetration.
The government recently concluded a spectrum auction, selling 480 MHz for $507 million, falling short of the initial 597 MHz target. Jazz, Zong, and Ufone all secured frequencies, with Jazz acquiring 190 MHz to become the largest buyer in the auction.
