ISLAMABAD
Residents of Islamabad may receive a major digital boost this Eid-ul-Fitr, with authorities preparing to roll out 5G services in select areas of the capital, officials said on Wednesday.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has decided to issue 5G licences to telecom operators on Thursday, a move that could pave the way for the country’s first commercial 5G rollout during the festive period.
PTA officials confirmed that all arrangements for licence issuance have been finalized, and telecom companies have already submitted the required bank guarantees, meeting key regulatory conditions.
Under the plan, all three telecom operators will be awarded licences simultaneously, with a formal signing ceremony expected to be held in Islamabad and attended by senior government officials.
If licences are issued as scheduled, companies are expected to launch 5G services on Eid-ul-Fitr, initially in limited مناطق of the capital, enabling users to experience ultra-fast internet speeds.
Each operator is required to deposit a $15 million bank guarantee and comply with strict rollout obligations, including the installation of at least 1,000 new telecom sites, with 200 sites dedicated to underserved and low-coverage areas.
The development follows the recent completion of Pakistan’s 5G spectrum auction, where the PTA auctioned 480 MHz out of 597 MHz available spectrum, generating approximately $510 million in revenue for the government.
Officials say the phased rollout will mark the beginning of Pakistan’s transition into next-generation connectivity, with broader nationwide expansion expected in the coming months.
