Islamabad: A majority of smartphones currently in use across Pakistan are now compatible with fifth-generation mobile networks, clearing a major hurdle ahead of the country’s long-awaited 5G spectrum auction, officials at the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) said.
According to PTA sources, nearly 80% of mobile handsets in Pakistan support the 2300 MHz and 2600 MHz bands, which are considered critical for the initial rollout of 5G services. The spectrum auction is expected by late February 2026 as part of the government’s 2025–26 national 5G transition plan.
Broad Spectrum Release Planned
The upcoming auction will offer around 597.2 MHz of spectrum below 6 GHz, covering the 700, 1800, 2100, 2300, 2600 and 3500 MHz bands. Officials say the release is designed not only to enable 5G services but also to significantly improve existing 4G network performance.
Average 4G download speeds, currently estimated at about 4 Mbps in urban areas, are expected to rise to 20–25 Mbps once additional spectrum is assigned to operators, PTA officials said.
Phased 5G Rollout in Major Cities
Initial 5G services are expected to launch in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta, with telecom operators required to meet strict Quality of Service (QoS) benchmarks. Commercial 5G offerings will need to deliver a minimum downlink speed of 50 Mbps at launch.
The 2300 MHz band is expected to provide a balance between coverage and capacity in dense urban centres, while the 2600 MHz and 3500 MHz bands will support higher data speeds and lower latency in high-traffic zones.
Fiber Expansion a Key Condition
PTA officials also emphasized that operators will be required to expand fiber-to-the-site infrastructure from the current 20% to 60%, a move seen as essential for sustaining high-speed mobile broadband and supporting future digital services.
Industry Caution Remains
Some industry experts have questioned the accuracy of the 80% 5G-ready handset estimate, suggesting the figure may be optimistic. Despite this, analysts agree the spectrum auction could mark a turning point for Pakistan’s mobile sector, boosting data speeds and laying the foundation for next-generation digital services.
