Pakistan to launch 5G services in Pakistan by July-August 2024. Dr Umar Saif, Caretaker Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, speaking at the Pakistan Mobile Summit, the country’s first mobile conference, revealed plans to auction a 300MHz spectrum.
Dr Saif emphasized enhancing the optic fibre network before introducing 5G, noting that only 6,000 out of 56,000 mobile towers are connected to optic fibre cables (OFC).
The government will provide mobile manufacturers with a three per cent Research and Development (R&D) allowance starting in the next fiscal year to boost the local mobile industry. This allowance will increase to eight per cent in the future.
This initiative aims to encourage local manufacturers in R&D efforts, aligning with the government’s strategy to advance the technology sector and promote domestic electronic device production.
Dr. Saif highlighted Pakistan’s achievements in mobile phone assembly, with about 9 million phones worth $1.5 billion produced in the last two years. Approximately 35 mobile phone brands contribute to this burgeoning industry.
The country has exported around 250,000 mobile phones, earning about $200 million in foreign exchange. Efforts are underway to manufacture components locally, aiming to produce fully assembled phones in Pakistan.
Dr. Saif noted Pakistan’s position as the 7th largest cellular market globally, with 191 million connections. He stressed the need for local manufacturing and exporting Pakistani-made phones, highlighting government incentives supporting industry growth.
