Jazz is preparing for the commercial launch of 5G services in Pakistan, with rollout expected to begin between June and July. The update was shared by Jazz GSM President Kazim Mujtaba during an informal briefing with journalists.
Jazz is rapidly completing preparations for the launch of 5G services across Pakistan. According to Kazim Mujtaba, the company is moving ahead with infrastructure upgrades and network readiness.
He said the telecom operator is aiming for a faster rollout compared to government targets.
Kazim Mujtaba confirmed that Jazz will invest a total of $1 billion over the next three years to support the 5G rollout in Pakistan.
This investment also includes spectrum fees, he added, highlighting the scale of the company’s commitment to next-generation connectivity.
Spectrum acquisition and strategy
Jazz has secured the largest share in the recent spectrum auction. The company acquired 70 MHz in the 2600 MHz band, considered a key frequency for 5G services.
It also purchased spectrum in the 700 MHz band, which is expected to improve coverage in rural areas. Additionally, spectrum in the 2300 MHz band was acquired to meet future demand.
Kazim Mujtaba called the 700 MHz band “gold spectrum” for 5G expansion.
Currently, Jazz is running 5G trials at around 180 mobile sites across the country.
The required equipment for these sites has already been approved, and imports are expected to arrive by the end of May.
The company plans to upgrade 2,250 mobile towers within a year to support 5G deployment.
Gradual upgrade in major cities
Kazim Mujtaba said upgrading infrastructure in major cities like Lahore and Karachi will take time.
He noted that it will not be possible to upgrade all 1,500 sites in these cities in a single phase, indicating a phased rollout approach.
The Jazz official said that introducing new radio equipment on existing towers will not only enable 5G but also significantly improve 4G speeds.
He added that complaints about slow mobile internet in Pakistan are expected to reduce as network upgrades progress.
Rising Data Usage in Pakistan
According to Kazim Mujtaba, mobile data usage in Pakistan currently stands at 8 to 10 GB per user.
He said increasing use of platforms like YouTube and TikTok will further drive mobile broadband demand in the coming years.
Jazz confirmed that there will be no separate tariff for 5G services.
The company said 4G and 5G packages will remain the same, ensuring that users will not face additional charges for upgrading to faster connectivity.
