New fibreisation targets set for mobile operators as government removes extra spectrum charges to strengthen 5G infrastructure

Pakistan has allocated E-Band spectrum to cellular mobile operators for high-capacity wireless backhaul, a move aimed at accelerating nationwide 5G deployment and addressing gaps in the country’s fibre infrastructure.

The initiative comes as the overall fibreisation rate of mobile towers stands at approximately 17.9%, a level considered insufficient to support large-scale 5G services.

Under the new NGMS/5G licensing framework, all mobile operators will be required to achieve a minimum Fibre-to-the-Site (FTTS) ratio of 20% between 2026 and 2028. The target will be raised in phases to 35% during 2032-2035, according to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).

PTA officials said operators will be allowed to deploy E-Band spectrum where fibre connectivity is unavailable or commercially impractical, enabling high-capacity wireless backhaul capable of meeting the performance requirements of 5G networks.

Mobile operators will import the advanced equipment needed to utilise the E-Band spectrum, while no additional spectrum charges will be imposed for its use.

Officials said each telecom operator will independently determine where fibre deployment is the preferred option and where E-Band technology provides a more efficient alternative.

The government is also facilitating Right of Way (RoW) approvals to speed up fibre installation and support the rapid expansion of 5G infrastructure across the country.

According to the PTA, the combination of increased fibreisation and E-Band wireless backhaul is expected to significantly improve the speed, capacity and quality of Pakistan’s future 5G services.

The regulator said the E-Band initiative builds on the 480 MHz spectrum auction held in March and is expected to play a pivotal role in extending 5G coverage and enhancing network performance nationwide.