The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications has assessed seven bands for the country’s implementation of 5G services.
According to official documents obtained by Business Recorder, the ministry is currently evaluating the options for a timely launch of 5G services in Pakistan.
In this regard, the following bands are being assessed as low bands, mid bands, and large bands for the implementation of 5G services: 700 MHz, 2.3 GHz, 2.6 GHz, 3.5 GHz, MiIIi8meter wave bands, C-Band (3.6-4.2) GHz, and Unlicensed Backhaul Frequency bands (P2P & P2MP).
The ministry has asked the Frequency Allocation Board (FAB) to share the current status and availability of all 5G spectrum in the above-mentioned frequency bands in light of these bands.
According to a ministry official, the government plans to introduce 5G services in the country by December 2022, which will open new investment opportunities and accelerate progress toward the target of “Digital Pakistan.”
The ministry has established a five-member advisory committee for 5G planning in Pakistan (5G Pakistan Plan Committee) to develop a roadmap and finalise recommendations for the country’s 5G readiness.
With the formation of working groups for 5G spectrum management, telecom infrastructure growth, telecom regulations review including health and safety, and 5G applications and use cases, the committee will establish a strategic plan and roadmap for 5G technology in Pakistan.
Members of the committee include representatives from the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, the Frequency Allocation Board (FAB), the Prime Minister’s Office SRIU (Strategic Reforms Implementation Unit), the Prime Minister’s Taskforce on IT and Telecom, academia, cellular network operators, and telecom vendors.
Last year, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) granted mobile operators permission to test and trial 5G technology in a restricted setting and on a non-commercial basis. For facilitating testing/trial only of 5G technology and related services in Pakistan, the PTA issued the “Framework for Test and Development of Future Technologies (Particularly Fifth Generation (5G) Wireless Networks in Pakistan).” Because of the rapid growth in mobile data traffic and user desire for a better mobile broadband experience, the upcoming fifth generation of mobile technology is receiving more attention (5G). This technology is expected to work in a highly heterogeneous environment and provide ubiquitous connectivity for a wide range of devices, new technologies, and use cases, according to PTA. It is viewed as a comprehensive wireless-access solution with the capacity to meet the demands and requirements of mobile communication for IMT-2020 and beyond.
IMT-2020 encompasses a much wider variety of topics than previous generations of mobile broadband networking systems. The ITU’s work on designing IMT-2020 specifications in close cooperation with a wide range of 5G stakeholders, as well as the related spectrum management and spectrum recognition aspects, is well underway. The IMT-2020 will serve as the foundation for all efforts aimed at achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’s goals.