Islamabad: In a major development towards the promotion of modern telecommunication technology in Pakistan, preparations for 5G test trials have been accelerated in Gilgit-Baltistan. After the approval at the policy level, the focus has now shifted to practical steps, which is laying the foundation for a new era of high-speed internet in the country.
According to officials, the Gilgit-Baltistan Council has approved the policy framework for 5G trials, while this decision will soon be sent to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for formal implementation. Sources say that the relevant agencies are now busy with technical preparations so that the trials can be started soon.
Caretaker Minister for Information Technology Gilgit-Baltistan Ghulam Abbas said that the Council Secretariat has prepared a summary containing policy guidelines for 5G testing, which has also been approved by the Ministry of Law and the Ministry of IT after scrutiny.
He added that after the final approval of the Prime Minister, this summary will be sent to the Ministry of IT, which will allow the PTA to officially start the trials. According to a PTA official, the agency has started internal planning and once the approval is received, instructions will be issued to telecom operators for field testing.
Currently, four major telecom operators are providing services in Pakistan, including Jazz, Zong, the Ufone-Telenor joint venture, and the Special Communications Organization (SCO), which provides services specifically in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir.
It is worth noting that Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir were not included in the 5G spectrum auction held on March 10, as there is a separate regulatory framework for these areas.
According to sources, the 2300 MHz, 2600 MHz and 3500 MHz frequency bands will be used during the 5G trials, through which network performance, signal strength and infrastructure requirements will be assessed.
Experts say that 5G testing in a mountainous and difficult region like Gilgit-Baltistan will not only help in understanding the technical challenges but also provide guidance for the effective implementation of 5G services across the country.
According to officials, these trials could prove to be important milestones for Pakistan’s digital future, which will not only increase internet speed but also bring significant improvements in the education, health and business sectors.
