5G Is Here, But Pakistanis Are Still Waiting for Better Internet
News Desk
Islamabad: Pakistan has entered the 5G era, but for millions of users, the promise of faster and more reliable connectivity remains largely theoretical.
That disconnect came into sharp focus at a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication, where lawmakers questioned why consumers continue to grapple with slow internet speeds, dropped calls and unreliable mobile services despite recent advances in spectrum allocation and the launch of 5G services.
Members of the committee said internet problems have become a nationwide concern, extending beyond underserved rural areas to major urban centres, including Karachi.
They noted that poor connectivity is disrupting businesses, online education, remote work and everyday communication, raising questions about whether technological progress is translating into tangible improvements for users.
Seeking to reassure lawmakers, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman said the country’s telecom spectrum has expanded significantly, from 274 MHz to 754 MHz, following the recent 5G spectrum auction.
The additional spectrum, he said, has substantially increased network capacity and is expected to improve internet services across the country in the coming months.
The regulator also highlighted that telecom operators have already switched on 5G services in 22 cities under the first phase of the rollout. However, the chairman acknowledged that operators have so far relied entirely on existing mobile towers and network infrastructure, with no dedicated 5G equipment yet deployed.
According to the PTA, the next phase will involve the installation of new 5G infrastructure over the next six to eight months, a move expected to deliver the higher speeds and lower latency commonly associated with fifth-generation mobile technology.
For lawmakers, however, those assurances offered little comfort. They pointed out that despite repeated promises of improvement, users continue to report sluggish internet, buffering, failed downloads and repeated call connection failures, suggesting that the benefits of expanded spectrum have yet to be felt on the ground.
The discussion also exposed another obstacle standing in the way of better connectivity: electricity shortages.
Committee members observed that prolonged power outages continue to disrupt telecom towers, leading to weak signals and service interruptions. The PTA chairman acknowledged that in some regions, load shedding lasting up to 10 hours a day is significantly affecting telecom operations.
He informed the committee that the regulator has engaged NEPRA and power distribution companies (DISCOs) on the issue, while the Prime Minister has constituted a high-level committee to develop a long-term solution aimed at ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply for telecom infrastructure.
Lawmakers argued that Pakistan’s digital ambitions cannot depend on an unstable power grid. They recommended that telecom operators gradually shift towards renewable energy by installing solar and wind power systems at mobile tower sites. Members said such a transition would reduce dependence on diesel generators, curb fuel theft, lower operating costs and strengthen the resilience of the country’s telecommunications network.
Beyond connectivity, the committee also turned its attention to the affordability of smartphones, particularly imported premium devices.
During the briefing, the PTA chairman said approximately 92 percent of smartphones currently used in Pakistan are manufactured or assembled locally, while only 8 percent, including Apple iPhones and Google Pixel devices, are imported.
He clarified that the PTA does not collect taxes on imported phones. Those duties are deposited with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), after which the PTA only registers and whitelists devices through its Device Identification, Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS) for lawful use in Pakistan.
Committee members nevertheless maintained that high import taxes continue to place premium smartphones beyond the reach of many consumers. They urged the Ministry of Information Technology to encourage Apple and other leading global manufacturers to establish assembly or manufacturing facilities in Pakistan, arguing that local production could lower prices, attract investment and generate employment.
The meeting also highlighted the political challenges surrounding Pakistan’s evolving digital legal framework.
The committee deferred consideration of the Electronic Transactions (Amendment) Bill, 2026, after members from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) objected that the proposed amendments had not undergone sufficient consultation within the party’s Parliamentary Legislative Committee.
Reaffirming the importance of consensus-driven legislation, lawmakers directed the government to complete consultations with political parties and other stakeholders before bringing the bill back for consideration.
The proceedings reflected a broader reality confronting Pakistan’s digital sector: while spectrum has expanded and 5G services have formally arrived, the country’s connectivity challenges remain rooted in aging infrastructure, unreliable electricity and policy bottlenecks.
For ordinary users, the success of Pakistan’s digital transformation will ultimately be measured not by announcements or auctions, but by whether everyday internet and mobile services become faster, more reliable and more affordable.
