Pakistan’s readiness for nationwide 5G services has continued to improve, with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) reporting that 3.81 million 5G-compatible devices have been registered across the country.
According to a PTA document, consumers will need handsets that support the assigned 5G spectrum bands to access next-generation mobile services. The regulator also noted that some compatible devices may require software updates before 5G functionality can be enabled.
The document shows that local manufacturing of 5G smartphones has gained significant momentum, with major global brands including Samsung, Vivo, ZTE Nubia, Oppo, Infinix, and Tecno now being assembled in Pakistan.
Monthly production increased steadily during 2026, rising from 32,581 units in January and 36,306 units in February to 76,315 units in March and 162,040 units in April. Production stood at 101,005 units in May, reflecting the continued expansion of the country’s domestic manufacturing ecosystem.
According to the PTA, locally manufactured 5G devices reached 961,326 units by May 2026. Samsung accounted for the largest share with 396,268 devices, followed by Vivo with 248,508 units. Infinix and Tecno collectively produced 216,560 units, while Oppo assembled 96,900 units and Nubia ZTE produced 3,090 units.
The regulator said the growing availability of locally assembled 5G smartphones is expected to improve affordability and support wider adoption of 5G services across Pakistan.
The PTA also released the latest network performance indicators. According to the document, average 5G download speeds were recorded at 135.42 Mbps on Jazz, 133.65 Mbps on Ufone, and 108.66 Mbps on Zong.
The document noted that early network performance has generally delivered average download speeds exceeding 100 Mbps, while significantly higher peak speeds are expected as coverage and network capacity continue to expand.
It added that nationwide mobile quality-of-service monitoring is being carried out using state-of-the-art Rohde & Schwarz monitoring equipment to ensure operators maintain service standards as 5G networks continue to expand.
Pakistan officially entered the 5G era following the March 2026 spectrum auction, during which 480 MHz of spectrum was allocated out of the 597.2 MHz offered. The auction generated around $510 million, or approximately Rs. 141 billion, in government revenue.
Commercial 5G services were initially launched in major cities, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi, with expansion to additional urban centres planned in phases.
