Islamabad: Pakistan is accelerating preparations for the commercial launch of 5G mobile services, with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) indicating that consumers are unlikely to face higher internet data package prices during the initial rollout.
According to the PTA, telecom operators are expected to offer 5G services through their existing prepaid and postpaid data packages, enabling a larger number of users to access the new technology without purchasing separate 5G plans.
The regulator said customers with 5G-compatible smartphones in areas covered by a 5G network will be able to use the service through their current data bundles. Users will also not be required to replace their existing 4G SIM cards, as current SIMs will be compatible with 5G, provided they are using a supported device within a 5G coverage area.
The PTA said operators are expected to maintain their current pricing structure during the early phase of the rollout to encourage widespread adoption of the technology. However, the authority noted that telecom companies may introduce dedicated or premium 5G packages in the future as demand grows, additional spectrum becomes available, and network infrastructure is expanded.
Under the expected strategy, operators will focus initially on increasing the number of 5G users and expanding the service rather than raising prices.
Cellular mobile operators have also assured the PTA that 5G tariffs at launch will remain broadly aligned with existing mobile broadband pricing to make the service more accessible to the general public.
The PTA said Pakistan’s mobile networks are capable of supporting advanced broadband services. During recent network testing conducted using Rohde & Schwarz equipment, Ufone recorded an average 5G download speed of 135.42 Mbps, followed by Jazz at 133.65 Mbps, and Zong at 108.66 Mbps.
The authority also emphasized that the availability of affordable 5G-enabled smartphones will be critical to the technology’s successful adoption. It has urged the government to review taxes and duties on mobile phones, arguing that high device costs are limiting smartphone ownership, slowing broadband expansion, and affecting digital inclusion, particularly in rural and low-income communities.
According to the PTA, increasing local production of 5G-compatible smartphones and ongoing network upgrades by telecom operators have brought Pakistan closer to the commercial launch of next-generation mobile services, which are expected to usher in a new era of high-speed internet connectivity and digital services.
