According to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, 5G services have been introduced in 22 cities across the country.
Officials from PTA shared this update while briefing the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunications in a meeting led by Syed Amin Ul Haque.
They informed the committee that 5G has also been activated in four sectors of Islamabad, where speed tests in Sector F-8 showed internet speeds of nearly 100 Mbps. Officials added that the planned 5G spectrum auction is expected to enhance overall network performance and raise average 4G speeds to around 40 Mbps.
Despite these developments, committee members raised concerns about the quality of telecom services. Member Sadiq Memon asked about the government’s strategy to improve mobile and internet connectivity, saying that new technologies like 5G would have limited impact if basic service standards remain weak.
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PTA officials also pointed out that ongoing electricity load-shedding is affecting telecom networks, with operators facing power outages that can last up to 10 hours in some regions.
Members of the committee further criticized telecom companies for reducing customer support capacity instead of improving it. The chairman urged operators to strengthen helplines and questioned why PTA was not taking strict action against poor service providers, including penalties and show-cause notices.
The meeting also discussed PTCL matters after the recent telecom merger. Sadiq Memon asked about nearly $800 million in government dues reportedly linked to PTCL and raised concerns over its property transactions.
Officials from the ministry said details of the privatization agreement fall under the Privatization Commission. The committee then directed both the Ministry of IT and the Privatization Commission to attend the next session and provide a detailed briefing.