5G Technology in Pakistan: Current Status, Supported Phones, and Network Providers

Introduction to 5G in Pakistan

5G technology is the next generation of mobile internet connectivity, offering faster speeds, lower latency, and improved reliability compared to 4G LTE. While many countries have already rolled out 5G networks, Pakistan is still in the early stages of adoption. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has conducted successful 5G trials, but a full commercial launch is yet to happen.

5G Network Providers in Pakistan

As of now, no Pakistani telecom operator has officially launched a commercial 5G network. However, major cellular companies have conducted 5G trials:

1. Jazz – Conducted 5G trials in Islamabad in collaboration with Huawei.
2. Zong – Tested 5G in major cities like Lahore and Islamabad.
3. Telenor – Has shown interest in 5G but has not yet conducted public trials.
4. Ufone – Currently focusing on 4G expansion but may enter 5G in the future.

The government aims to auction 5G spectrum by 2024-2025, but delays are possible due to economic conditions and infrastructure challenges.

5G Speed in Pakistan

During trials, 5G speeds in Pakistan reached up to 1 Gbps (Gigabit per second), which is significantly faster than 4G’s average speed of 10-50 Mbps. Once commercially available, users can expect:

• Download speeds: 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps
• Latency: As low as 1 millisecond (compared to 30-50ms on 4G)

5G-Compatible Phones in Pakistan

Many smartphones in Pakistan already support 5G, even though the network is not yet available. Here are some popular models:

Premium 5G Phones

1. iPhone 12/13/14/15 series
2. Samsung Galaxy S21/S22/S23 series
3. OnePlus 9/10/11 series
4. Xiaomi Mi 11/12 series
5. Oppo Find X3/X5 series

Mid-Range 5G Phones

1. Samsung Galaxy A52 5G / A73 5G
2. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G
3. Realme 9 Pro+ 5G
4. Vivo V23 5G
5. Oppo Reno 6/7 5G

Budget 5G Phones (Under PKR 50,000)

1. Infinix Zero 5G (PKR 45,000 – 50,000)
2. Tecno Pova 5G (PKR 40,000 – 45,000)
3. Realme Narzo 50 5G (PKR 45,000 – 50,000)
4. Samsung Galaxy A14 5G (PKR 50,000 – 55,000)

Challenges for 5G in Pakistan

• High Spectrum Costs – The government needs to auction 5G frequencies at reasonable prices.
• Infrastructure Upgrades – Telecom companies must invest in new towers and fiber optics.
• Device Affordability – Many Pakistanis still use 3G/4G phones, making 5G adoption slow.

Conclusion

While 5G is not yet available commercially in Pakistan, trials show promising results. Major telecom operators like Jazz and Zong are preparing for its launch, and many 5G-ready smartphones are already available in the market. Once 5G is officially rolled out, it will revolutionize internet speeds, gaming, streaming, and IoT (Internet of Things) applications in the country.

Would you like recommendations for the best 5G phone based on your budget? Let me know!