The Ufone 5G rollout has quietly begun in Pakistan’s capital, with verified coverage now confirmed in several parts of Islamabad. Users in the city are reporting download speeds of more than 300 Mbps, but Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city and commercial hub, is still waiting. Here is a full look at where things stand and what comes next.
How Pakistan’s 5G Journey Started in 2026
Pakistan held its 5G spectrum auction on March 10, 2026. The auction sold a total of 480 megahertz of spectrum, with Jazz securing 190 MHz, Ufone getting 180 MHz, and Zong acquiring 110 MHz.
On March 19, 2026, Jazz and Zong announced the launch of their 5G services, marking the first commercial 5G deployments in Pakistan. Jazz’s first phase went live across around 180 sites, covering all provincial capitals and key metro hubs including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Multan, and Faisalabad.
Zong commercially launched 5G services in over 16 cities, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, and Quetta. Ufone, however, held back its own launch to prepare properly.
Ufone 5G Rollout Begins, But Quietly
The PTA issued a commencement letter to Ufone after completing regulatory checks, clearing the final requirement for the company to launch its 5G service. Ufone now plans to roll out its 5G network in phases.
After months of trailing behind Jazz and Zong in Pakistan’s 5G race, Ufone has finally started activating its 5G network in Islamabad. During limited testing, Ufone 5G has been confirmed available in several parts of the capital.
Ufone’s 5G network delivered average download speeds of more than 300 Mbps, even during testing conducted while in motion. That is a strong result for an early-stage network.
Ufone has not yet announced an official commercial launch date or released a complete list of 5G-enabled areas. The rollout appears to be in a quiet, gradual activation phase rather than a big public event.
Ufone’s Spectrum Advantage
One reason people are watching the Ufone 5G rollout closely is its spectrum position. Ufone participated in the 2026 NGMS auction, acquiring 180 MHz of total spectrum, 120 MHz in the 3.5 GHz band and 60 MHz in the 2.6 GHz band.
The 3.5 GHz band is the global standard for 5G mid-band. It gives a good balance of speed and coverage. Ufone controls the largest share of the global standard 3.5 GHz spectrum, twice as much as any competitor, giving it the ability to set the benchmark for speed and performance in Pakistan, according to PTCL and Ufone’s president and CEO Hatem Bamatraf.
This means that once the Ufone 5G rollout reaches full scale, it could offer the fastest peak speeds in the country, even if it was the last of the three operators to go live.
When Will Karachi Get Ufone 5G?
This is the big question for millions of users in Pakistan’s largest city. Based on the current expansion plan, Ufone intends to systematically expand its 5G footprint to remaining sectors of Islamabad before initiating subsequent rollout phases in neighboring Rawalpindi, followed by Lahore and Karachi.
So Karachi sits at the end of the near-term roadmap, not the beginning. This does not mean the wait will be very long, but users in Karachi should not expect Ufone 5G in the coming weeks. A realistic window appears to be later in 2026, once the Islamabad and Rawalpindi phases are complete.
It is worth noting that Jazz and Zong already have 5G live in Karachi, so some users who want 5G now do have options if they switch networks or have a compatible SIM.
The Ufone-Telenor Merger Factor
There is another big development running alongside the Ufone 5G rollout. On 1 July 2026, the Islamabad High Court approved the merger between Telenor Pakistan and Pak Telecommunication Mobile Limited (Ufone).
In December 2025, PTCL completed its acquisition of Telenor Pakistan, along with its spectrum allocation licences and cellular network. The combined entity is expected to become Pakistan’s largest spectrum holder. The PTA granted technical approval for merging and integration of networks on 19 March 2026, allowing Ufone to begin using spectrum currently in use by Telenor Pakistan.
This merger could speed up the overall 5G expansion. More towers, more spectrum, and a bigger combined subscriber base all give Ufone more reason to accelerate its build-out across cities like Karachi and Lahore.
What You Need to Use Ufone 5G
If you are in a covered area, using Ufone 5G is fairly simple. Ufone 5G activates automatically if you are in a supported coverage area and using a 5G-enabled smartphone. You do not always need a new SIM.
However, your phone matters a lot. 5G services are available on Samsung devices, but industry officials say only about 5% of 5G handsets are currently available in Pakistan, which is a major challenge for operators.
5G services will not initially be available to iPhone users in Pakistan. Apple has informed the government that it expects to enable the 5G option for Pakistani users in 2027, after assessing the size of the market.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has also directed all operators to publish updated lists of 5G-covered areas and compatible devices on their official websites. You can check Ufone’s official website for the latest coverage information as the network expands.
For more on how Pakistan’s telecom sector is evolving, see our coverage of the telecom right of way bill that now requires mandatory owner consent, which affects how operators can expand their tower networks across the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ufone 5G live in Pakistan right now?
Yes, the Ufone 5G rollout is active in parts of Islamabad. Speeds above 300 Mbps have been verified by independent testers. However, there is no full official commercial launch or public coverage map yet from Ufone.
When will Ufone 5G come to Karachi?
Ufone has not given a specific date for Karachi. Its current plan is to complete coverage in Islamabad first, then move to Rawalpindi, Lahore, and then Karachi. Based on this, Karachi could get Ufone 5G in the second half of 2026.
Do I need a new SIM to use Ufone 5G?
In most cases, no. Ufone 5G activates automatically if you are in a supported coverage area and using a 5G-enabled smartphone. Just make sure your phone supports 5G and that 5G is enabled in your device settings.
Which phones work with Ufone 5G in Pakistan?
Most modern Android phones with 5G support work, including Samsung Galaxy models. iPhone users will likely have to wait until 2027, as Apple has not yet enabled 5G for Pakistani networks. PTA has directed operators to publish lists of 5G-enabled smartphone models compatible with local networks and approved for use in Pakistan.
