Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the launch of 5G spectrum will benefit key sectors such as agriculture, technology, and industry.
Telecommunication companies on Thursday announced the rollout of 5G services in selected areas after receiving spectrum licences at a ceremony held in Islamabad, where Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed participants.
The government recently concluded a spectrum auction in Islamabad, selling 480 megahertz (MHz) for $507 million. Three operators competed for the 2,600MHz band, a key frequency range for 5G services.
The licence agreements were signed by the Licensing Director General of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, Brigadier (retd) Aamir Shahzad, along with senior representatives of the telecom companies.
‘Major milestone’
Speaking at the ceremony, the prime minister described the launch of 5G spectrum as a major milestone for Pakistan, noting that it would benefit sectors such as agriculture, technology, and industry.
He also said the auction process was conducted in a transparent manner despite facing legal challenges, highlighting the government’s commitment to advancing the country’s digital infrastructure.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appreciated the efforts of Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar for his cooperation in removing legal hurdles during the process.
He noted that major transactions, including the divestment of Pakistan International Airlines, were carried out with transparency, setting new benchmarks in the country’s history.
The prime minister congratulated telecom companies on successfully acquiring spectrum and expressed hope that 5G services would expand across both urban and rural areas. He emphasized the need for swift implementation so that the youth can benefit from modern technological advancements.
On the occasion, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja said that 480 MHz spectrum had been added, compared to 274 MHz earlier, which would significantly enhance internet speeds in the coming months. She added that while 5G services had been introduced for the first time in Pakistan, 4G services would also improve.
Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, Hafeez ur Rehman, said that Pakistan had become number one in the region in terms of spectrum capacity.
Earlier, the prime minister also witnessed the signing of licence agreements by telecom operators at the ceremony.
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