Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
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’s $510M 5G auction aims to ease 4G congestion and reshape telecom competition. Operators now shift focus to network upgrades and performance, with future 5G rollout expected to begin in major cities before expanding nationwide.
Pakistan’s largest telecom operator Jazz invested Rs58.7 billion in FY25 to strengthen network capacity, expand digital platforms, and accelerate its evolution into an integrated digital service company under the JazzWorld ecosystem.
PTML has acquired additional spectrum to strengthen its network capacity and prepare for future 5G services in Pakistan. The move is expected to enhance mobile connectivity, improve data speeds and support the country’s broader digital transformation and digital economy growth.
Officials said the measure is intended to ensure greater stability in telecom tariffs while addressing consumer concerns about frequent changes in mobile service pricing.
Zong has successfully acquired 5G spectrum, doubling down on its commitment to a “Digital Pakistan.” The company will leverage its 17,000+ sites and new AI-ready cloud platforms to drive industrial modernization and high-speed consumer connectivity. The rollout will also see immediate improvements to 4G quality across its 44 million data users.
VEON’s Jazz secured 190 MHz in Pakistan’s 5G auction, the largest share among bidders, for approximately $239.5 million. The auction tripled the nation’s available spectrum, enabling Jazz to enhance 4G quality and launch 5G services in major cities by late 2026, supporting a transition to AI-driven digital services for 100 million users.
Pakistan raised $507 million in its inaugural 5G auction, with Jazz, Ufone, and Zong acquiring 480 MHz of spectrum. The move doubles national capacity, heralding faster 4G within months and 5G rollouts by late 2026. Notably, Pakistan also became the first Asian nation to eliminate right-of-way charges for fiber.
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority conducts a mock auction to test systems and prepare telecom operators ahead of the country’s upcoming 5G spectrum sale.
VEON’s Jazz International agrees to acquire a controlling stake in TPL Insurance to expand digital insurance and financial services through its JazzCash and Mobilink Bank ecosystem in Pakistan.
Pakistan is advancing its digital transformation through the Digital Nation Pakistan Act 2025, establishing new governance bodies, launching a national AI policy, strengthening cybersecurity frameworks, expanding submarine cable connectivity, and accelerating broadband deployment. The government also aims to digitize public sector operations and protect citizens’ digital rights.
