The government has announced plans to launch 5G technology in Pakistan next year. While this high-speed internet technology promises significant benefits for the national economy and consumers, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has highlighted several challenges that must be addressed before its rollout.
5G technology is the global standard for high-speed internet delivery, but it has yet to be fully introduced in Pakistan. Over the past four years, various governments have made promises to launch 5G, but these have not been fulfilled. PTA, in its annual report, has outlined the challenges related to the 5G launch.
According to PTA, a major investment is required to upgrade the existing network and infrastructure before the launch. Expensive fiber-optic cables, small cell sites, and advanced antennas will need to be installed, which will place a heavy financial burden on the telecom sector. The return on investment will take considerable time, presenting another significant challenge.
The report further mentions that government incentives and public-private partnerships could help alleviate the financial pressure. Another issue is that urban areas, due to better infrastructure, will benefit from 5G internet more quickly. However, rural areas will experience delays in access due to the high logistics and infrastructure costs. A lack of 5G-supported smartphones is also identified as a challenge.
