Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Pakistan prepares for a February 5G auction as experts finalize pricing options, but a court delay over the critical 2600MHz band remains the key obstacle to unlocking new spectrum for growing national data demand.
Veon raised its 2025 earnings outlook, forecasting 16–18% EBITDA growth driven by booming digital services in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and other markets. Q3 revenue hit $1.12B, with digital services up 63% year-on-year, highlighting the telecom’s successful pivot toward high-margin digital ecosystems.
Jazz’s Zaheer Mehdi emphasized that telecom remains central to Pakistan’s digital transformation, calling for ethical AI adoption, better connectivity, and human capital investment to ensure inclusive growth.
Pakistan has issued a draft license framework for satellite internet services, reducing barriers for global providers like Starlink. The single-license model cuts costs, mandates local data compliance, and ensures rapid rollout. The move is expected to boost connectivity in underserved regions and advance Pakistan’s digital sovereignty.
PTA has denied reports of subscriber data leaks from telecom operators, stating the exposed datasets were aggregated from external sources. The authority blocked 1,372 online platforms trading personal data, while the Ministry of Interior launched a probe to identify leak origins and recommend corrective measures.
Pakistan’s telecom industry and GSMA have urged the government to adopt an investment-friendly approach to the upcoming 5G auction. Proposals include lower spectrum prices, rupee-based payments, duty-free imports, and flexible terms to spur digital transformation, reduce network congestion, and expand inclusion across the country.
Jazz’s completion of a full 4G upgrade across Central Punjab regions cements its leadership in digital connectivity. With 75% of users on 4G, over 53 million customers now benefit from faster internet and access to healthcare, finance, education, and entertainment services, marking a major step toward Pakistan’s digital inclusion.
The Senate IT Committee voiced frustration over Pakistan’s delayed 5G rollout, PTCL’s unpaid $800 million dues, and Telenor’s possible exit from the market. Lawmakers pressed for legal dispute resolution, transparency in the 5G auction, and direct government engagement with telecom operators to prevent further setbacks in the sector.
Pakistan’s telecom operators invested Rs. 267.6 billion over three years, with Jazz leading at Rs. 95.45 billion, followed by Zong, Ufone, and Telenor. Despite this, service quality gaps persist, prompting PTA to issue warnings and show-cause notices. Over 65,000 complaints were filed, mainly about data services.
Heavy rains in Sindh disabled over 2,500 telecom towers, cutting mobile and internet access for thousands of users. PTA restored 1,800 towers within 24 hours, with most of Karachi’s services back online. The incident underscores the risks posed to telecom infrastructure by extreme weather.