ISLAMABAD: Caret­aker Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Dr Umar Saif and Pakistan Telecomm­unication Auth­ority (PTA) Chairman retired Maj Gen Hafeezur Rehman on Tuesday decided that the 5G services will be launched within 10 months.

Dr Umar Saif said that all the hurdles in the launch of 5G services will be removed on a priority basis, adding that issues relating to taxation, teledensity and spectrum will be addressed.

He said that effective measures will be taken for the provision of quality services to masses, and expressed the resolve to facilitate people through 5G auction.

Both the IT minister and the chairman PTA noted that that Pakistan ranks very low in terms of quality of service for cellular users at 79 out of 100 by the Inclusive Internet Index.

It was observed that one of the main reasons for this is the lack of investment in the telecom infrastructure.

The PTA officials told the minister that telecom operators in Pakistan only have 274 MHz spectrum to serve the 7th largest number of telecom users in the world, whereas, a single telecom operator in Australia uses over 345 MHz.

“For better telecom services, we must ensure immediate improvement in 4G infrastructure and accelerate the rollout of 5G in Pakistan,” the PTA chief said.

Incidentally, the Minis­try of IT and Telecom had announced to roll out 5G by the middle of 2023, and the ministry was vying to woo foreign investors too, however, the local telecom players have declared a digital emergency due to the high cost of doing business and restrictions on imports of components and technical parts.

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2023

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...