In Karachi, Pakistan, the prospect of implementing 5G technology has once again moved further away. Previously, the government had aimed to introduce 5G by December 2023, but this objective was not met.
The current interim minister, Dr. Umar Saif, has taken on the challenge of bringing 5G within ten months and has set a new target for its deployment. The government has increased its pressure on telecom operators to expedite the installation of 5G infrastructure and the adoption of this technology.
In response, the telecom industry has expressed its concerns, requesting assistance from the interim minister in enhancing the coverage and quality of the existing 4G network.
Experts in the field assert that 5G technology holds significant advantages for industrial and business applications. However, Pakistan’s industrial sector is not currently prepared to leverage this innovation, mainly due to ongoing economic challenges and a shortage of foreign exchange reserves. Additionally, the high cost of 5G-compatible smartphones would exacerbate Pakistan’s foreign exchange crisis.
Sources within the industry have indicated that the interim government’s goal of rolling out 5G technology within ten months has been met with skepticism from telecom operators. They argue that the current state of the country, including foreign exchange issues resulting from import bans, severely hinders the upgrade of the telecom network. Therefore, importing expensive equipment worth billions of dollars is not a feasible option, especially when considering that a significant portion of Pakistan’s population still lacks internet access.