Pakistan launches 5G services in 23 cities

Mobile operators have launched 5G services across 23 cities in Pakistan, according to a report by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). The rollout is currently in its first phase, with significant infrastructure expansion occurring in Karachi. In Karachi alone, the number of 5G sites has grown from 90 to 279, following the addition of 189 new sites in a single month.

Under the current licensing obligations, operators are required to install at least 2,000 sites during this initial phase. In Karachi, a minimum of 1,000 5G sites must be established by the end of the phase. Additionally, mobile companies are mandated to upgrade at least 20% of existing 4G sites to 5G in both provincial and federal capitals.

The PTA has established specific performance targets to ensure network quality, including a mandatory 20% “Fiber-to-the-Tower” ratio and a baseline median speed of 50 Mbps, with future targets aiming for up to 100 Mbps. This expansion is intended to support high-demand activities such as cloud services, video streaming, and digital payments in major business hubs.