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By Sabeeh Zanair :
Pakistan is preparing for the commercial launch of 5G mobile services by August this year as telecom operators move ahead with infrastructure deployment and early-stage network testing in major cities.
Industry officials say mobile operators have begun expanding their networks after the country’s recent spectrum auction, with several companies already activating limited 5G sites as part of initial rollout preparations.
However, while many Android smartphone users are expected to gain access to next-generation mobile internet services in the coming months, officials say Apple users in Pakistan may have to wait significantly longer for official 5G compatibility on iPhones.
According to officials at Pakistan’s IT and telecom ministry, Apple has yet to approve local 5G carrier support for Pakistan and is reportedly still assessing the market’s commercial viability and long-term business potential.
Officials familiar with the matter said the company is unlikely to enable official 5G support for Pakistani telecom networks on iPhones before 2027.
Meanwhile, telecom operators are moving ahead with their own deployment plans.
A senior executive at Jazz said the company has already activated approximately 150 5G sites and intends to expand the number to nearly 1,000 during the first phase of rollout. The operator is later expected to increase coverage to around 2,500 sites by December.
Jazz GSM President Kazim Mujtaba said the company was following a phased deployment strategy aimed at gradually expanding services as Pakistan’s 5G ecosystem develops.
Pakistan’s transition to 5G is expected to bring significantly faster internet speeds, lower network latency and improved support for data-heavy applications, including cloud services, gaming, smart devices and industrial automation.
However, industry experts warn that device availability remains one of the biggest obstacles to widespread adoption.
Telecom representatives estimate that only around five percent of mobile phones currently in use across Pakistan are compatible with 5G technology.
Officials say high import taxes and duties on smartphones — particularly premium devices such as iPhones — have limited consumer access to newer handsets capable of supporting 5G services.
In contrast, many Android devices from brands including Samsung Electronics, Xiaomi, Vivo and Oppo already support 5G connectivity and are expected to work with Pakistani networks once services become commercially available.
To improve affordability, telecom operators have proposed government-backed smartphone financing schemes designed to help consumers purchase compatible devices through instalment plans.
However, officials noted that previous financing programmes faced major difficulties because of high default rates, reportedly ranging between 30 and 40 percent, causing substantial financial losses for operators.
Zong has publicly supported efforts to expand access to affordable 5G smartphones through financing arrangements.
In a statement, the company said it was working closely with regulators and industry stakeholders to develop a framework that would benefit both consumers and the telecom sector.
Pakistan’s recent 5G spectrum auction generated approximately $507 million after authorities sold 480 MHz of spectrum across several frequency bands.
Jazz emerged as the largest buyer in the auction after securing 190 MHz of spectrum, while Ufone and Zong also acquired frequencies needed for commercial deployment.
Industry stakeholders continue urging the government to reduce taxes on smartphones and telecom services, arguing that high costs remain a major barrier to digital growth and wider internet adoption in Pakistan.
Analysts say the success of Pakistan’s 5G rollout will depend not only on network expansion but also on affordability, device accessibility and the ability of operators to encourage consumers to upgrade from older smartphones.
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