Islamabad, March 25, 2026 — Pakistan’s telecom operators have activated more than 300 5G sites across key urban zones, marking an early phase of the country’s next-generation network rollout.
According to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), deployments are concentrated around high-priority areas including Islamabad’s Red Zone, Blue Area, and Parliament Lodges. Jazz has rolled out 180 sites nationwide, while Zong has activated 150, with Ufone expected to follow once equipment imports are completed.
Initial 5G speeds have been set at 50 Mbps, compared to capped 4G speeds of 20 Mbps post-spectrum auction. However, widespread adoption remains limited as major device manufacturers like Apple and Samsung have yet to release necessary 5G software updates.
Currently, 103 mobile brands have enabled 5G across more than 2,200 devices, providing early access to users. PTA noted that full network stabilization and nationwide rollout could take up to two years.
The regulator also expects improvements in 4G performance within the next five to six months as infrastructure upgrades continue. The recent spectrum auction allocated 480 MHz out of 597 MHz available, laying the foundation for broader deployment.
Operators are required to update their coverage areas publicly as services expand, ensuring transparency as Pakistan transitions toward a 5G-enabled ecosystem.
