Pakistan’s 5G network has reached approximately 1.3 million users across 23 cities, the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication confirmed, marking steady progress four months into the country’s commercial 5G rollout.
Over 1,200 Sites Activated in Four Months
Mobile operators have activated more than 1,200 5G sites since the technology’s commercial launch, following a spectrum auction held on March 10, 2026. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority and the IT ministry say operators are continuing to install additional infrastructure, with coverage expected to expand well beyond the current 23 cities in the coming months.
Operators Have Invested Nearly $180 Million
Telecom operators had collectively invested $178.6 million in 5G infrastructure through June 2026, according to industry data. Zong led spending with $98.9 million, followed by Jazz at $59.67 million and Ufone at an estimated $20 million. The three companies have projected a combined $70 million-plus in additional investment for the next fiscal year as the rollout continues, with Ufone’s figures still pending the completion of its merger process.
Part of a Broader Digital Push
The 5G expansion comes as Pakistan’s broader technology sector continues to grow, with IT exports climbing sharply this fiscal year on the back of rising software and services demand. Officials say faster mobile connectivity is expected to support everything from e-commerce and fintech to remote work, though analysts note that fibre-optic backhaul capacity will need to keep pace with 5G tower rollouts for users to see the technology’s full speed benefits.
Device Availability Remains a Bottleneck
Despite network progress, industry observers point out that affordable 5G-enabled handsets remain scarce in the local market, limiting how quickly ordinary consumers can take advantage of the new infrastructure. Telecom companies have said they are working with device manufacturers to expand the range of budget-friendly 5G phones available to Pakistani buyers over the next year, which could accelerate adoption beyond the current user base.
Regionally, Pakistan’s 5G launch trails several South Asian peers that rolled out the technology earlier, but officials argue the phased approach has allowed operators to build out infrastructure more methodically. The PTA has said it will continue publishing coverage updates as more cities come online, giving consumers and businesses visibility into where high-speed mobile connectivity is available.
For businesses considering network-dependent investments, faster and more widespread 5G coverage could meaningfully change what is technically feasible in areas like logistics tracking, video-based customer service and cloud-based enterprise tools over the next two to three years.
