PTA permits two companies to test 5G

Permission limited to testing purpose only on non-commercial basis

KARACHI: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has permitted two cellular mobile companies to test 5G technology in some areas of Islamabad following their successful in-house trials.

“PTA has granted permission to PMCL (Jazz) and CMPak (Zong) for six months to conduct test and trial of 5G technology under limited environment,” read a notice issued by the telecom authority on Tuesday. “The permission is limited to testing purpose only on non-commercial basis.”

In June 2019, PTA issued a framework for testing and development of future technologies, particularly fifth generation (5G) wireless networks, in Pakistan in a bid to facilitate testing of 5G technology and related services in Pakistan.

At that time, it was a one-time permission, however, now it has given the two companies a time period of six months to test 5G technology in a relatively wider area in Islamabad. Previous trials of both the companies were in-house tests.

While giving the permission for tests on non-commercial basis only, PTA said it always supported and encouraged introduction of new technologies and enhanced services.

“However, any impression given beyond the stated purpose by any cellular mobile operator (CMO) would be considered misleading and may trigger appropriate regulatory action,” it stressed.

Commercial launch of 5G services in Pakistan would take place in due course following a process involving policy directions by the government coupled with necessary regulatory approvals.

Jazz conducted the trial in its headquarters in Islamabad this week and reported average download speed of 1,452 mbps and upload speed of 68 mbps along with successful high definition voice and video calls.

On the other hand, Zong tested the technology in August 2019 where it witnessed 1 gbps to 1.4 gbps download speed during the trials.

“The new notice allows the companies to test 5G services for 24 hours in some areas of the capital city,” said an industry source.

“After this testing phase, PTA, in collaboration with the mobile service operators, will improve the technology following feedback from companies and customers,” he said. “After that, it will prepare a feasibility report and framework regarding the equipment the companies require to disseminate the technology.” “The technology will also face some challenges like bandwidth, which is a scarce resource,” he said.

For 5G, around 100 megahertz (MHz) of bandwidth is needed. To recall, Pakistan auctioned the spectrum of 10 to 15 MHz for 3G and 4G services. In addition to this, 5G needs more towers than earlier technologies because as the speed increases, the coverage area decreases. Similarly, 3G and 4G technology had required more towers than the 2G technology.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 8^th, 2020.

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