Pakistan’s iPhone users may have to wait until 2027 for access to 5G services, as Apple is reportedly not planning to enable 5G support in the country before then, according to officials familiar with the matter.
Officials from the Ministry of IT and Telecom told Tribune that Apple has informed Pakistani authorities it will assess the country’s market size before activating 5G compatibility for iPhones in Pakistan. The company is currently not prepared to immediately roll out the feature for local users.
The delay comes despite Pakistan moving ahead with its nationwide 5G rollout. Earlier this year, the government auctioned 5G spectrum worth $507 million in a bid to improve internet speeds and overall service quality. Telecom operators have already started launching 5G services in selected areas where testing infrastructure has been deployed.
Industry officials say Samsung smartphones are already compatible with 5G networks in Pakistan, while Apple’s restriction could leave iPhone users unable to access next-generation mobile services for the next two years.
Officials believe Apple’s cautious approach is linked to the shrinking iPhone market in Pakistan, largely due to heavy taxes and duties imposed on imported smartphones, particularly premium devices such as iPhones.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) auctioned a total of 480 MHz spectrum, although the government had initially targeted 597 MHz. The auction included two lots in the 700 MHz band, all five lots in the 2,300 MHz band, all 19 lots in the 2,600 MHz band, and 22 out of 28 lots in the 3,500 MHz band.
Among telecom operators, Jazz emerged as the largest buyer, securing 190 MHz of spectrum. Its allocation included 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. Zong and Ufone also acquired spectrum to support the rollout of next-generation mobile services.
Telecom industry sources further revealed that operators have already placed orders for equipment required to commercially launch 5G services across Pakistan.
