PTA Warns Slow 5G Deployment Could Delay Nationwide Coverage Until 2035
Pakistan’s 5G rollout is steadily progressing, with 449 active tower sites now operational across 22 cities, according to figures shared by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) during a briefing to the National Assembly Standing Committee on IT. The regulator is monitoring network performance in real time, collecting data from operators every 24 hours to track site activity and outages.
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Despite this progress, officials expressed concern over the pace of deployment. Karachi currently hosts 50 live 5G sites, while Hyderabad has only three. At the current rate, PTA warned, nationwide coverage may not be achieved until 2035. The government has urged telecom operators to accelerate infrastructure development, particularly in major urban centers, to ensure faster access to next‑generation connectivity.
The expansion of 5G infrastructure is seen as a cornerstone of Pakistan’s digital transformation, promising faster mobile speeds and new opportunities for businesses and emerging technologies. The scale and reach of future deployments will be critical to making advanced connectivity available to a wider population.
