Pakistan stands at a pivotal moment in its digital journey. With mobile broadband usage growing and digital services increasingly woven into daily life, the time is ripe to introduce 5G. But for this next-generation technology to fulfil its promise, Pakistan needs more than just technical readiness – it needs smart policies and a supportive ecosystem that will enable rapid, inclusive, and sustainable rollout. As the country transitions, considering the full 5G ecosystem is essential, including sectors and industries benefiting from connectivity. Elements like spectrum, infrastructure, devices, inclusion, and digital literacy must align for widespread national impact.

Rethinking spectrum policy

One of the key obstacles is spectrum pricing. Several past auctions have seen reluctance to participate actively, and at times, key bands remained unassigned, primarily due to high reserve prices. This has influenced the pace and scale of 4G expansion. As Pakistan looks ahead to 5G, spectrum availability and pricing remain important factors that will guide rollout strategies and investment decisions.

Rather than treating spectrum as a short-term revenue source, policymakers must view it as a long-term investment and an enabling factor for national productivity. Affordable spectrum pricing – including options like deferred payment models and local currency-based arrangements – would allow mobile operators to invest more aggressively in coverage, service quality, and innovation. This, in turn, would stimulate digital growth, enabling the government to reap higher tax revenues through expanded GDP in the medium term.

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