The government has officially designated 2025 as the “Year of 5G,” unveiling ambitious plans to revolutionize the country’s digital landscape. Key targets include achieving an average broadband speed of 50–100 Mbps and increasing Fiber-to-the-Site (FTTS) coverage to 60 percent, marking a significant leap in Pakistan’s telecom infrastructure.
These goals were outlined by Amer Shahzad, Director General (DG) Licensing, during the National Broadband Network Forum 2024. The event, organized by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) in collaboration with Huawei, highlighted the government’s roadmap for digital transformation.
5G Spectrum Auction Scheduled for April 2025
Shahzad announced that the 5G spectrum auction is expected to take place in April 2025, a milestone that promises to bring substantial benefits to the country. He emphasized the government’s commitment to enhancing Fixed Broadband (FBB) penetration, which currently stands at less than 2 percent, with plans to increase it to 20 percent over the next five years.
Broadband Speed and FTTS Expansion
The DG also highlighted the government’s goal of boosting average broadband speeds from the current 15 Mbps to 50–100 Mbps. Addressing the challenge of low FTTS coverage, which is currently at 20 percent, Shahzad revealed plans to expand it to 60 percent, a move critical for supporting 5G networks and bridging the digital divide.
National Fiberization Plan and Infrastructure Expansion
To meet the growing demand for Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) and improve FTTS penetration, the government has initiated the National Fiberization Plan. This initiative aims to expand the country’s fiber footprint from the current 200,000 kilometers to 0.5 million kilometers. Shahzad also proposed deploying 1 Gbps connectivity in Islamabad as a pilot project, with plans for nationwide expansion.
PTA Reports Significant Progress in Telecom Sector
The PTA’s annual report highlighted remarkable progress in expanding telecom coverage across the country. Cellular mobile services now reach 91 percent of the population, with 3G/4G signals covering over 81 percent. By June 2024, there were 55,777 operational cell sites, 95.5 percent of which support 4G.
These advancements have driven a surge in broadband subscribers, which reached 142.3 million by September 2024, reflecting a 91 percent growth over the past five years. Broadband penetration has also increased to 58.4 percent, up from 32.6 percent in 2019.
Strengthening International Connectivity
Pakistan’s international connectivity is supported by a robust network of undersea fiber optic cables and terrestrial links. The country currently has seven submarine cable connections, along with the Pak-China Optical Fiber Cable and 21 cross-border terrestrial links. With an installed capacity of 16.4 Tbps, this infrastructure ensures reliable internet access, redundancy, and resilience against disruptions.
The impact of this infrastructure is evident in the significant improvement in digital services. Data usage increased by 24.2 percent in 2023–24, reaching 25,141 petabytes (mobile: 13,021 petabytes; fixed: 12,120 petabytes). To further enhance connectivity, four additional submarine cables are under development.
The government’s ambitious plans for 2025 aim to position Pakistan as a leader in digital connectivity and innovation. With the upcoming 5G spectrum auction, expanded fiber networks, and improved broadband speeds, the country is set to make significant strides in bridging the digital divide and fostering economic growth.
