Pakistan’s 5G story is moving from auction paperwork to real coverage. Within six months of the country’s largest-ever spectrum auction, 5G services have launched at more than 1,700 sites across 24 major cities, delivering average speeds of 130 Mbps. The update came from Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja, speaking at a high-level panel of the Global Digital and AI Summit in Seoul, South Korea.
The $509 million auction that made it possible
In March 2026, Pakistan held its biggest spectrum auction to date, raising $509 million and adding 480 MHz of spectrum. The auction increased telecom operators’ combined spectrum holdings from 274 MHz to 754 MHz — a milestone recognised by the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) and the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT).
In the months since, operators have been lighting up 5G sites across the country. Nationwide download speeds have increased by 68.1 percent over the past two years, according to figures shared at the summit.
Where 5G stands now
Jazz and Zong were the first to switch on commercial 5G services. Jazz launched across around 180 sites, covering Islamabad, all provincial capitals and major hubs including Rawalpindi, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Multan and Faisalabad. Jazz also secured the largest slice of spectrum in the auction — 50 MHz in the 3,500 MHz band, 70 MHz in the 2,600 MHz band, 50 MHz in the 2,300 MHz band and 20 MHz in the 700 MHz band. It remains the country’s biggest operator with more than 74 million customers.
Zong went live with 5G in more than 16 cities, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta. Ufone, which picked up 120 MHz in the 3,500 MHz band and 60 MHz in the 2,600 MHz band, has received its 5G licence but had not yet launched services at the time of the reports.
Fibre and cables: the backbone behind 5G
5G needs fibre, and the government is pushing hard on that front. More than 234,000 kilometres of optical fibre cable has been deployed nationwide, and right-of-way charges — fees charged for laying fibre along roads and corridors — have been abolished to cut costs and speed up expansion.
International connectivity is also growing. Pakistan is connected to the global network through six submarine cables with combined capacity exceeding 17 terabits per second, and the country is developing the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Digital Corridor to connect Central Asia with the wider world.
Satellite, MVNOs and the next steps
The minister said regulators are finalising a framework for satellite communications and licensing to facilitate direct-to-device services, adding that satellite technology would complement — not replace — terrestrial networks. New frameworks for mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) and infrastructure sharing have also been introduced to attract investment.
On digital inclusion, she noted that the Universal Service Fund has connected more than 38 million people across 22,100 settlements in over 110 districts, that 17.6 million smartphones were assembled locally in 2025 with instalment plans being introduced, and that the gender gap in mobile connectivity has narrowed from 25 percent to 8 percent, citing World Bank reports. Pakistan’s ranking in the ITU’s ICT Development Index 2026 improved by 27 places, and telecom subscriptions have crossed 200 million.
FAQs
How many cities have 5G in Pakistan?
5G services are live at more than 1,700 sites across 24 major cities, six months after the March 2026 spectrum auction.
What are the average 5G speeds?
Average 5G speeds are around 130 Mbps, and nationwide download speeds have risen 68.1 percent over two years.
Which operators have launched 5G?
Jazz and Zong have launched commercial 5G services. Ufone holds a licence but had not launched at the time of the reports.
When was Pakistan’s 5G spectrum auction?
March 2026 — the largest in the country’s history, raising $509 million and adding 480 MHz of spectrum.
Do I need a new phone for 5G?
Yes, you need a device with a compatible 5G chipset supporting the bands used in Pakistan, plus a 5G-enabled SIM and coverage in your area.
Conclusion
From a $509 million auction in March to 1,700 live 5G sites in 24 cities by October, Pakistan’s 5G rollout is one of the fastest starts in the region. The harder work now is filling the gaps — deeper fibre, more sites, and satellite and sharing frameworks that reach remote areas. If the current pace holds, the next twelve months will decide whether 5G becomes a service most Pakistanis can actually use, not just read about.