New Delhi, April 6: The launch of 5G services in parts of Pakistan marks a significant milestone. However, due to the country’s economic and infrastructure hurdles, this technology appears more like a marketing narrative than a functional reality.
According to a report by the Daily Mirror, the physical network required for 5G signals in Pakistan is notably weak. This is particularly true for the network that connects mobile towers to the main infrastructure.
Fiber-optic cables are considered the best globally. They can transmit terabits of data in seconds, with latency measured in milliseconds. For a 5G standalone network, each site needs a backhaul speed exceeding 10 Gbps and a round-trip time of less than five milliseconds.
Currently, only 15 percent of mobile towers in Pakistan are connected via fiber. The remaining 85 percent rely on microwave radio links, which have limited capacity. These links become vulnerable during adverse weather conditions and cannot handle 5G traffic effectively.
In March of this year, a spectrum auction took place in Islamabad, where 480 megahertz of spectrum was sold for $507 million, nearly tripling the available spectrum for use. However, this is just the first step, and the journey ahead is expected to be long and challenging.
The cost to connect a single site to fiber ranges from $10,000 to $20,000. With thousands of sites needing upgrades, this expense far exceeds the recently raised half a billion dollars.
Additionally, Pakistan faces issues with right-of-way fees, which cost between PKR 35 to 60 per meter annually. In contrast, India charges a one-time fee. This recurring cost becomes a deterrent for investors.
As a result, Pakistan ranks 76th out of 93 countries on the GSMA Fiber Development Index. The report warns that without reforms, the lack of fiberization will remain a significant weakness in the country’s 5G rollout.
Moreover, demand for 5G in Pakistan is low. Only one percent of mobile handsets support 5G technology, while approximately 90 percent of locally manufactured phones are still limited to 2G or 3G.
My name is Narendra Jijhontiya. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
Leave a Comment