
As Pakistan braces for 5G spectrum auction ahead of its countrywide launch, State Minister for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja on Wednesday revealed that the ministry was awaiting a report from National Economic Research Associates (NERA) — a US-based consultant hired for 5G rollout in Pakistan.
Regarding the 5G spectrum which is scheduled to take place in April 2025, the ministry is awaiting NERA's update on the procurement of 500 MHz, a key component to ensure high-speed internet across Pakistan, she shared during a Senate session held on Wednesday.
The release of spectrum will reportedly set the stage for a smooth and efficient let-out of the next-gen broadband technology, as reported by Geo News.
Disclosing that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) keeps a check on internet speeds, Khawaja acknowledged internet issues with mobile broadband, while refuting claims about distortion with the country's main line of internet.
In addition to sharing the government's plans regarding the launch of 5G, she said Pakistan last year registered a whopping 25% growth in the number of internet users.
The IT minister added that IT was the only sector which witnessed a remarkable trade surplus despite internet woes remaining unaddressed in 2024.
Internet in Pakistan is currently coming from eight undersea internet cables, out of which one is dead. With two new submarine cables set to be landed soon, she claimed internet speeds in the country will significantly improve.