Caretaker Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Dr Umar Saif announced on Monday that 5G services would be launched in Pakistan by July-August 2024 where the government would auction 300MHz of spectrum.
Before the launch of 5G, Pakistan’s optic fibre network will have to be extended. Currently, only 6,000 mobile towers are connected to optic fibre cables out of around 56,000 towers across the country.
The minister highlighted the steps taken by his ministry for the uplift of the IT industry during the past five months, particularly the establishment of a telecom tribunal to fulfill a longstanding demand of the sector. Speaking at the Mobile Summit, Saif revealed that Pakistan had exported nearly 250,000 mobile phones, earning about $200 million. Over the past two years, approximately 9 million mobile phones, valuing at around $1.5 billion, have been assembled in the country. The minister added that at present about 35 different brands were actively contributing to the local mobile phone manufacturing industry.
Highlighting the initiatives taken to ramp up the export of smartphones, he stressed that the government aimed to reach the target of $500 million in the next two years and the ambitious goal of $5 billion in five years. He informed the audience about efforts being made to produce some components locally, with the goal of eventually manufacturing fully assembled phones within the country.
Talking about the progress made in IT and electronics industries over the past three years, he called for the formulation of policies for those sectors. He revealed that the government had decided to grant a 3% research and development (R&D) allowance to mobile manufacturers, which will begin from the next fiscal year. The allowance will be increased from 3% to 8% in the coming years.
The move aligns with the government’s broader strategy to boost the technology sector and promote self-sufficiency in the production of electronic devices.
Read Committee formed for 5G auction
“For effective implementation of the Right of Way policy, the Special Investment Facilitation Council has removed all departmental hurdles and all decisions have been approved without delay in the interest of the country,” the minister remarked.
He pointed out that under the nation’s first space policy, international companies would be allowed to provide communication services through low-orbit satellites. Satellite communication technology is advancing rapidly and many private companies worldwide want to provide communication services through low-orbit satellites. “Satellites used to be geostationary, far away from land. They are useful for broadcasting TV signals, but communicating is difficult because of latency,” he elaborated.
Saif emphasised that communication and internet services could be offered through low-orbit satellites, which were relatively closer. “There is a lot of development in this regard in the private sector.”
The Pakistan Mobile Summit, the first-ever mobile conference in the country, saw the presence of top industry leaders.
Speaking on the occasion, GSMA APA Head Julian Gorman said, “The key element in the digital future is undoubtedly the smartphone that plays a pivotal role in expediting digitalisation, thus bolstering the country’s economy.
“As the 5G era continues to expand around the world, it is imperative for Pakistan to modernise its policies to support and uplift the telecom industry. We firmly believe that a supportive regulatory environment coupled with strategic policies will not only foster a healthy and competitive telecom sector but will also contribute significantly to Pakistan’s digital transformation journey.”
