Pakistan's 5G Users Near 2 Million, But Lawmakers Raise Concerns Over Network Quality

Pakistan's 5G adoption has reached approximately 1.8 million users, with services now available in 24 cities, according to Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja. The minister shared these figures during a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecom on Tuesday.

Khawaja stated that the government conducted a 5G spectrum auction to introduce the technology, noting that no such auction had taken place since former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif left office. She credited the previous government with launching 4G services and said the current government has advanced the 5G rollout.

However, lawmakers expressed concerns about the quality of existing mobile networks, questioning how Pakistan could progress to 5G when users in several areas still struggle with basic 3G and 4G connectivity. One committee member claimed that mobile internet services have deteriorated since the introduction of 5G, while another complained that even basic network services are unavailable in parts of Sindh.

The minister acknowledged that telecom services face multiple challenges, including infrastructure theft and electricity-related problems. She noted that entire telecom towers, generators, and diesel are sometimes stolen, disrupting network operations. She also pointed out that rising data consumption driven by social media and artificial intelligence is putting additional pressure on telecom infrastructure.

The discussion highlights the gap between the government's push for 5G and the ground reality of inconsistent network quality. As Pakistan aims to expand its digital footprint, addressing these infrastructure and quality-of-service issues will be crucial for ensuring that the benefits of 5G reach consumers effectively.