PTA faces problems in launching 5G

IT ministry tells Senate panel 3G, 4G speed will also increase

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ISLAMABAD:

The Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology (IT) and Telecom was informed on Thursday that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) faced problems regarding the launch of the 5G internet services in the country.

In a briefing to the committee meeting, chaired by Senator Palwasha Khan, officials said that not all the subscribers would shift to 5G, as the speed of 4G and 3G services would also improve. They said that PTA would take a decision keeping in view the market players.

The meeting discussed the status of the auction of the 5G spectrum. The PTA officials said that 5G required more spectrum. They added that a policy directive was required from the government for the new spectrum.

The official said that a trial was allowed in 2017, while an advisory committee had been formed established on 5G. The PTA also hired a consultant in November, who has submitted its report, they said, adding that the decision about 5G spectrum would be taken by keeping in mind the market players.

IT ministry officials told the committee that currently, there were three bands were available in Pakistan. They added that after the launching of 5G, not all subscribers would shift to it at once. They further stated that the speed of 3G and 4G services would also increase with the launch of 5G.

Also during the meeting, Universal Service Fund (USF) officials gave a briefing to the committee on its projects in the last three years. They said that USF's mandate was to provide telecom services in rural, remote areas and that it had completed 63 projects in the past three years.

Humayun Mohmand asked the officials about the complaints of the people in affected areas of Balochistan. The USF officials replied that the services were down in some areas because of security issues.

The chairman enquired about the reasons for the internet disruption on the motorway. The USF officials replied that the PTA had taken up this issue and the work was under way to rectify the situation.