LAHORE, Apr 23 — Industry stakeholders have called on the government to promote device affordability to support faster 5G adoption in Pakistan, as the country begins rolling out next-generation mobile networks and consumer uptake remains limited.
Officials and market participants say wider use of 5G services will depend on lower device costs, improved infrastructure, and policy support, with full-scale adoption expected within the next 12 to 18 months.
Adoption timeline and current market share
Zeeshan Mianoor, Chief Executive Officer of Inovi Telecom, said Pakistan is still in the early stages of 5G deployment, with demand yet to reach its full cycle. He noted that 5G-enabled smartphones currently represent only a small share of locally assembled devices, as the market continues transitioning from 4G.
He said stronger growth is expected as network coverage expands and consumer demand increases over the coming months.
Local manufacturing and industry readiness
Pakistan’s mobile phone manufacturing sector has expanded rapidly in recent years, reaching production levels of over three million units per month. The industry now meets around 95% of domestic demand through approximately 29 manufacturing units, mainly based in Lahore and Karachi.
This growth has contributed to a reduction of about $1.5 billion in the country’s annual import bill, according to industry estimates.
Manufacturers have started assembling 5G-compatible devices, with production scaling linked to market demand and network availability.
Policy and infrastructure challenges
Industry stakeholders say government support will be critical to accelerating 5G adoption. Suggested measures include maintaining a stable spectrum policy, reducing taxes and duties on devices and components, and streamlining regulatory procedures.
They also highlighted the need for provincial authorities to simplify right-of-way approvals for fibre infrastructure, particularly in Punjab, to support network expansion.
Affordability and consumer demand
Mobile phone traders report that demand for 5G devices remains low due to high prices. Muhammad Usman Sheikh, Secretary General of the All-Pakistan Mobile Phone Traders Association, said most consumers continue to opt for 4G or lower-end devices because of limited purchasing power.
He called for tax reductions on imported mobile phones and the introduction of financing options, such as instalment plans and public-private partnerships, to make 5G devices more accessible.
Global context
Pakistan has recently initiated its 5G rollout following a spectrum auction. Globally, countries including China, South Korea, and the United States lead in 5G deployment, while the Asia-Pacific region accounts for a majority of global connections.
Also read: Pakistan’s 5G Launch Delayed as Apple Software Update Pending
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