5G rollout to boost youth empowerment, innovation: PM

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said that the launch of 5G spectrum marked a major milestone for Pakistan, benefitting various sectors from agriculture and technology to industry.

Pakistan recently sold 5G spectrum worth $507 million in an auction aimed at boosting internet speeds. Telecom operators will launch 5G services initially in Islamabad and the provincial capitals, which will later be extended to other areas of the country.

In total, the government sold 480 MHz of spectrum, although it had originally targeted 597 MHz. Three telecom operators — Jazz, Zong and Ufone — secured frequencies to roll out next-generation mobile services.

Addressing the signing ceremony of licence agreements for the 5G spectrum, the prime minister said the auction process was conducted in a transparent manner despite legal challenges. He appreciated the efforts of Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar who fully cooperated to remove the legal hurdles in the process.

He said that transactions such as the divestment of Pakistan International Airlines were also carried out with transparency, setting new precedents in the country’s history.

The prime minister congratulated telecom companies, including Jazz, Zong and Ufone, on successfully acquiring spectrum, with Jazz securing the largest share. He also extended congratulations to Chinese officials associated with Zong and reiterated that Pakistan-China friendship continued to grow stronger.

He expressed hope that 5G technology would expand to all parts of the country, including urban and rural areas, and emphasised the need to move swiftly to enable youth to benefit from modern technological advancements.

Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja said that 480 MHz spectrum had been added to the system, compared to 274 MHz previously, which would significantly improve internet speeds in the coming months.

She added that while 5G had been launched for the first time in Pakistan, 4G services would also see improvement.

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority Chairman Hafeez ur Rehman said Pakistan had become “number one” in the region in terms of spectrum capacity.

Earlier, the prime minister witnessed the signing of licence agreements by Jazz, Ufone and Zong.