Pakistan Charts Decade-Long 5G Expansion Plan Targeting 40 Cities by 2035

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan’s telecom sector is moving toward a structured and long-term 5G rollout, as the Ministry of IT has presented a detailed roadmap in Parliament, outlining phased expansion and strict performance targets to strengthen the country’s digital ecosystem.

Under the plan, 5G services will be introduced in four phases over the next decade, with coverage extending to 40 cities by 2035. The strategy emphasizes gradual deployment to ensure network quality, infrastructure readiness, and equitable nationwide access.

The first phase, expected by 2028, will focus on major urban centres including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta, laying the groundwork for initial adoption. In the second phase, from 2028 to 2030, the network will expand to 10 additional cities, with at least two cities from each province to maintain regional balance.

The third phase, spanning 2030 to 2032, will bring 5G services to another 10 cities under the same provincial distribution model. In the final phase, from 2032 to 2035, coverage will extend to 15 more cities, completing the nationwide rollout target.

Alongside expansion, the government has introduced strict obligations for telecom operators, requiring the installation of 1,000 new 4G and 5G sites annually to enhance coverage and reduce service gaps.

Licensing terms also include upgraded Quality of Service (QoS) standards. Minimum 4G data speeds have been raised from 4 Mbps to 20 Mbps, with a phased increase to 50 Mbps. For 5G, the baseline speed has been set at 50 Mbps, with a long-term target of 100 Mbps.

The roadmap signals a measured yet ambitious push toward next-generation connectivity, aiming to deliver faster, more reliable internet while supporting Pakistan’s broader digital transformation goals.