5G technology is being introduced in Pakistan, with major telecommunication operators Jazz, Zong, and Ufone officially securing licenses and initiating the rollout of services in March 2026. The commercial launch followed a spectrum auction that took place on March 10, 2026.
Initial 5G services have been launched in major urban centers, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Multan, and Faisalabad.
Jazz activated 5G services across approximately 180 sites, while Zong announced a launch in more than 16 cities, with plans to deploy and upgrade over 1,000 sites nationwide in 2026.
The 5G spectrum auction concluded with 480 MHz auctioned for $507 million. Zong (CMPak) was noted as the first to launch commercial services, while Ufone (including the merging Telenor operations) secured the largest share in the 3,500 MHz band.
Early 5G trials recorded speeds of over 1.4 Gbps, aimed at enhancing internet speeds and enabling smart industry, healthcare, and precision agriculture..
While the license is issued, approximately 85% of existing cell towers still operate on infrastructure that requires significant upgrades to fully support 5G.
Many users, particularly those with iPhones, Pixels, and some Samsung devices, may face delays in 5G access due to pending carrier approvals.
High rollout costs and the need for more 5G-enabled devices in the market are key challenges facing the rapid adoption of this technology.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has instructed operators to publish updated lists of 5G-covered areas.
