The Ministry of Information and Telecommunications (MoITT) intends to roll out 5G services in stages across the country.
In the first step, 5G will be launched in the country’s five capitals: Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, and Peshawar. According to MoITT officials, all other countries are working on a phased launch, and the Government of Pakistan (GoP) will follow suit.
The ministry has shared a draught 5G policy with the industry and key stakeholders. According to sources, the ministry has received input from one or two operators and is awaiting responses from other industry stakeholders.
The deadline for comments on the draught policy guidelines has been extended to February 28, 2022, at the request of stakeholders. The draught will be shared with the Federal Government after receiving input from the industry. As a result, the GoP will issue 5G policy directives based on the ministry’s directives.
The government intends to roll out 5G in the fourth quarter of 2022 or the first quarter of 2023. A spectrum advisory committee has been formed in this regard, and incentives for spectrum rollout will be announced in the upcoming finance bill.
Incentives will be finalized by the Ministry of Finance in consultation with the MoITT, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Frequency Allocation Board (FAB), and other relevant stakeholders, and will be reflected in the Financial Bill 2022-23.
According to officials, the PTA will appoint consultants for the country’s 5G auction in accordance with a policy directive from the Federal Government.
These consultants’ recommendations will be forwarded to the Federal Government, and once approved, the PTA will make plans for the commercial launch of 5G.
In Pakistan, telecom operators such as Jazz, Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), Telenor Pakistan, and Zong have successfully conducted 5G trials.
Following input from the industry on draught policy guidelines, the GoP will issue policy directives, which will be followed by the hiring of consultants and other processes.
To read our blog on “TPL Trakker will create a geographical information system for 5G rollout in Pakistan,” click here.
