ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Dr Umar Saif said on Monday that 5G services in Pakistan would be launched in July-August 2024.
Addressing the first-ever conference: Pakistan Mobile Summit on Monday, the caretaker minster said that a 300MHz spectrum would be offered for auction.
“Before the launch of 5G services, optic fiber network has to be enhanced. Currently, only 6,000 mobile towers, out of around 56,000 across the country, are related to optic fiber cables (OFC),” he pointed out.
The minister said three percent of Research and Development (R&D) allowance will be granted to mobile manufacturers to promote local mobile industry.
“This decision would be implemented from the next fiscal year, which would be increased to eight percent in coming years.”
Dr Saif asserted the decision was aligned with the broader strategy to boost technology and achieve self-sufficiency in the production of electronic devices.
The minister stated that approximately 9 million mobile phones worth $1.5 billion were assembled in the country during the past two years.
Currently, about 35 different cellphone brands actively contributing to the local mobile phone manufacturing industry.
Dr Saif said the country earned around $ 200 million from the export of nearly 250,000 cellphones.
Emphasizing the need for local manufacturing of top brands, he said that Pakistan was the 7th largest market with 191 million active cellular connections in the world.
