Pakistan unveils roadmap for 5G launch

The Pakistani government has finalised the framework for the auction of the 5G technology spectrum. 

According to reports, the Ministry of Information Technology has prepared a roadmap for the 5G rollout, and the technology is set to launch nationwide in June 2025. 

The spectrum auction will be completed in five phases and the auction process will begin next month.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) will provide recommendations to the Spectrum Advisory Committee based on consultations with experts.

In the second phase, the Advisory Committee will finalise policy reforms. By March 2025, the committee will determine the prices for the 5G spectrum and set the commercial terms. 

In April, the federal government will approve the policy directive. The PTA will then hold the spectrum auction in May 2025. 

The PTA will offer four 5G spectrum bands for auction, including 700 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2600 MHz, and 3500 MHz, aiming to advance the implementation of 5G across the country. 

On the other hand, the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has successfully restored its internet services after resolving a fault in the AAEE-1 submarine cable that had caused widespread disruptions.

According to a PTCL spokesperson, the company addressed the issue in record time, ensuring a return to normal internet speeds and smooth browsing for its customers.

The spokesperson also highlighted that PTCL added additional bandwidth to minimise disruptions during the repair process. Following the fix, services such as Meta platforms, including WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram, have resumed with full functionality and seamless experience.

Both PTCL and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) teams worked tirelessly to restore connectivity. PTCL expressed gratitude to its customers for their patience and cooperation during the outage.