ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Information Technology (IT) announced that Pakistan has introduced a detailed 10-year plan to which will establish 5G mobile services throughout the nation. The plan establishes a four-stage rollout which will deliver advanced mobile services to 40 cities by 2035.
The first phase will start in 2028 when 5G services will begin operating in Islamabad Rawalpindi Karachi Lahore Peshawar and Quetta. The Parliament received the roadmap which requires their approval for monitoring purposes.
The second phase, scheduled from 2028 to 2030, will extend 5G coverage to an additional 10 cities, followed by a third phase from 2030 to 2032, which will expand the network to 10 more cities. Each province will see at least two cities included in these stages.
The last phase of the project will run from 2032 to 2035 which will implement network coverage across all 15 cities, thus establishing countrywide network access. The network will include at least two cities from each province.
The telecom operators need to build 1000 4G and 5G locations every year because this requirement determines their target achievement for network expansion. The government predicts that 5G implementation will increase digital connectivity, enhance mobile broadband speeds and enable technology-driven industry growth throughout Pakistan.
Zong begins 5G operations in 16 cities in Pakistan
Earlier, Chinese telecom operator Zong has officially ushered in a new era for Pakistan’s telecommunications sector by launching commercial 5G services across more than 16 cities, immediately following its successful acquisition of the 5G spectrum.
This landmark rollout marks a pivotal milestone in the country’s digital evolution, moving beyond experimental trials to a live, functional network. Currently, the service is operational in key urban centres, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, and Quetta, providing the high-speed infrastructure necessary to support an increasingly data-driven economy.
The company’s strategy for 2026 involves an aggressive expansion of its network footprint, with plans to deploy and upgrade over 1,000 5G sites nationwide.
This initiative is designed not only to increase high-speed connectivity for individual consumers but also to provide the technological backbone for advanced digital services, such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart city applications. By focusing on these major metropolitan areas first, Zong is positioning itself as a primary driver of digital transformation, aiming to enhance the overall efficiency and capabilities of Pakistan’s digital landscape.
For the business community and the broader public, this deployment promises a significant leap in performance, offering ultra-low latency and significantly higher download speeds compared to existing 4G LTE systems.
As the rollout continues throughout the year, the focus remains on scaling this technology to meet the growing demand for reliable, high-bandwidth internet. This move is expected to act as a catalyst for innovation across various sectors, from healthcare and education to finance and logistics, ultimately contributing to a more connected and technologically advanced Pakistan.
