Islamabad’s Sector I-16 continues to face poor mobile coverage because no cellular operator has installed a dedicated site in the sector, the government has told the National Assembly.

In a written response, the Cabinet Division said I-14 and I-16 are relatively new sectors with low population density, with I-16 having the smallest population among the federal capital’s sectors.

The government said cellular companies now operate 12 dedicated sites in I-14 and I-16 combined, compared with nine mentioned in an earlier response. However, all 12 are in I-14, leaving I-16 without a dedicated cellular site.

I-14 has three Jazz sites, three Zong sites, two Telenor sites, and one Ufone site, resulting in partial to adequate coverage. Zong has also launched 5G services there.

In I-16, mobile connectivity is instead being provided through Jazz, Zong, and Ufone sites positioned around the sector’s boundary. The arrangement produces weak signals and limited service within the sector.

The government said the existing serving sites are functioning normally, but operators have not indicated any immediate plans to install additional infrastructure, upgrade network technology, or introduce 5G in I-16.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has instructed the operators to identify coverage gaps, optimize their networks, and assess practical options for improving mobile voice and data services.

According to the government, low population, weak commercial incentives, and limited expected returns on investment are among the reasons operators have not established dedicated infrastructure in I-16.

It said residents facing poor indoor signals may also use approved repeaters or amplifiers and Voice over Wi-Fi (VoWiFi) as possible solutions.

Ufone’s potential network expansion in the area is linked to the completion of its merger with Telenor.