NewKerala.com

Pakistan's 5G Rush Risks Costly Misfire Without Affordability Fix

Pakistan's telecom industry has warned the government that rushing a 5G rollout without solving device affordability could be a costly policy error. The Telecom Operators Association highlighted that only about 2% of mobile subscribers currently own a 5G-enabled device, with entry-level phones priced far beyond the average citizen's reach. The association criticized the public debate for focusing on prestige over the critical question of who can actually use the technology. It urged regulators to reduce device taxes and enable financing schemes to prevent 5G from deepening the existing digital divide, as seen with the country's uneven 4G adoption.

Key Points: Pakistan's 5G Push Risks Costly Policy Misfire, Warns Industry

  • 5G rollout risks foreign exchange drain
  • Only 2% of subscribers have 5G phones
  • Handset costs are prohibitive for most
  • Policy ignores consumer affordability
  • Could repeat 4G's uneven adoption
2 min read

Pakistan's rush toward 5G risks becoming another costly policy misfire

Telecom industry warns Pakistan's fast-tracked 5G rollout could waste forex, ignore affordability, and deepen the digital divide without consumer-focused policies.

"Introducing technology alone does not uplift societies; it is the adoption and use of that technology that drives progress. - Telecom Operators Association of Pakistan"

Islamabad, January 7

Pakistan's telecom industry has cautioned the government against fast-tracking the launch of next-generation mobile networks without addressing fundamental affordability issues, warning that an ill-timed 5G rollout could consume limited foreign exchange and divert crucial investment from improving basic connectivity.

The concerns were highlighted in a detailed letter sent by the Telecom Operators Association of Pakistan (TOA) to the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecom, as reported by Dawn.

According to Dawn, the TOA stated that Pakistan's digital trajectory will not be shaped by how rapidly 5G technology is deployed but by whether ordinary users can afford compatible smartphones and find meaningful everyday value in staying connected.

The association noted, "Introducing technology alone does not uplift societies; it is the adoption and use of that technology that drives progress."

TOA Chairman Amir Ibrahim, who authored the letter, criticised public discussions surrounding 5G for focusing almost entirely on global competitiveness and perceived technological prestige. Missing from the conversation, he said, is a basic but critical question: Who in Pakistan will actually be able to use 5G? According to industry figures, only around two per cent of mobile subscribers currently possess 5G-enabled devices.

The association pointed out that entry-level 5G smartphones begin at roughly PKR 90,000, while premium models such as iPhones can cost up to PKR 700,000, amounts well beyond the reach of most citizens in a low-income, prepaid-driven market. It added that 5G support requires more advanced modems and radio components, which increase manufacturing costs and further push devices out of mass-market affordability.

The TOA stated that the lack of accessible handset financing options further restricts adoption and urged the government to introduce consumer-friendly instalment schemes. Without such demand-side measures, policymakers risk building a sophisticated network that few people can actually use, as Dawn highlights.

The association cautioned that focusing narrowly on rollout deadlines and coverage obligations without tackling affordability barriers could result in an underutilised 5G infrastructure, much like Pakistan's uneven 4G experience.

Even a decade after the first 4G auction, one in four users still lacks mobile broadband. The TOA stated that 5G could deepen Pakistan's digital divide unless regulators reduce device taxes, enable financing mechanisms, and align policy with real consumer needs, as reported by Dawn.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The telecom association is absolutely right. Technology for the sake of "global prestige" is pointless if people can't afford it. In India, affordable 4G data and cheap smartphones from companies like Jio and others truly drove adoption. Pakistan needs to fix its basic connectivity first. 1 in 4 still without mobile broadband is shocking in 2025!
R
Rohit P
A 5G phone starting at PKR 90,000? That's nearly ₹30,000! For a country with much lower per capita income than India, this is a luxury few can dream of. Their government should focus on reducing taxes on devices and promoting local manufacturing to bring costs down, like the PLI scheme did here. 🧠
S
Sarah B
While I agree with the affordability argument, I respectfully think the article and some comments are overlooking a key point. Strategic 5G rollout in key urban/industrial zones can boost specific sectors (like manufacturing, ports) even if mass consumer adoption is low. It's not entirely black and white. A phased, targeted approach might work.
V
Vikram M
"Introducing technology alone does not uplift societies" – This line hits hard. So true. Development is about people, not just infrastructure. Hope their policymakers listen. Their foreign exchange reserves are already under pressure; spending it on underutilized 5G gear would be a serious policy blunder. Basic connectivity should be the priority, yaar.
K
Karthik V
The comparison to India's digital story is inevitable. We had our struggles too, but competitive pricing and bundling services (like free calls with data) drove the revolution. Pakistan's market seems trapped

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50