ISLAMABAD: The government has announced a major overhaul of Pakistan’s telecom infrastructure in an effort to address persistent slow internet speeds and prepare the country for next-generation connectivity.
Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja said the core reason behind poor internet performance is a critical shortage of radio spectrum, stressing that Pakistan is trying to serve a population of nearly 240 million with just 274 megahertz of mobile spectrum.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, the minister explained that Pakistan has one of the lowest levels of available spectrum in the region, noting that neighboring Bangladesh has almost double the spectrum despite a smaller population. To resolve this bottleneck, the federal cabinet has approved a new spectrum auction that will release around 600 megahertz across seven bands, five of which will be auctioned for the first time. The auction is expected to be held within the coming weeks.
Shaza Fatima said the additional spectrum will lead to noticeable improvements in 3G and 4G services within three to four months, while 5G services are planned to be launched within six months, starting from provincial capitals including Islamabad. She emphasized that the government’s vision goes beyond faster speeds, focusing instead on building future-ready digital infrastructure aligned with global standards.
On international connectivity, the minister said Pakistan has joined the world’s longest submarine cable system, SMW-6, with two more undersea cables set to become operational this year. These developments are expected to reduce outages and dependence on limited international routes.
Addressing concerns over internet shutdowns, Shaza Fatima clarified that such measures are implemented only on security directives from the Interior Ministry and not as part of IT policy. She expressed confidence that the upcoming spectrum auction would lead to visible improvements in internet quality within months, describing the reforms as a long-term investment in Pakistan’s digital future.–APP
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