Papua New Guinea clears path for commercial 5G rollout

The National Information and Communications Technology Authority (NICTA) has declared Papua New Guinea ready to license commercial 5G mobile services. This follows the completion of all necessary legal, technical, and regulatory processes.

NICTA has cleared the 2.6GHz and 3.5GHz spectrum bands for licensing, allowing mobile operators to deploy both advanced 4G and 5G services. While the announcement marks a milestone for the nation's digital economy, officials cautioned that nationwide availability will not be immediate. Initial deployments are expected to focus on major urban centers where demand is highest.

Vodafone has committed to rolling out 5G across the National Capital District, with plans to cover at least one additional city within 18 months. The company aims to reach 20 per cent of the population within 36 months and 30 per cent within 60 months. Licensing conditions will require operators to progressively expand coverage as part of their deployment strategies.