PTA Chairman Announces New Date for 5G Launch in Pakistan
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During a Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet meeting chaired by Rana Mahmood-ul-Hasan, key issues in the IT sector were discussed, including the launch of 5G in Pakistan. Social media companies cited security concerns for not establishing offices in Pakistan and are considering virtual offices instead.
Farooq H. Naek raised concerns about the rising cost of mobile phones, criticizing that it is impeding access and slowing the country’s digitization efforts. The Cabinet Secretary assured that this issue would be addressed with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). He also noted that local mobile manufacturing has commenced, with phones now available on installment plans. Currently, 37 local companies produce 20 million units annually, 40% of which are smartphones.
The Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) informed the committee that 56% of the population has internet access and announced that the 5G auction is scheduled for March or April next year. He also mentioned that mobile services were suspended four times last year during significant events like Muharram, May 9, and elections.
Telenor is exiting the Asian market, having already left India, citing unfavorable business conditions and financial losses in Pakistan. The PTA Chairman also highlighted the commencement of the licensing process for IoT Technology and the completion of the satellite policy. During the meeting, Rana Mahmood-ul-Hasan questioned whether social media companies are paying taxes for international advertisements.
The PTA Chairman pointed out the lack of legislation regarding taxation of social media platforms. Azam Nazir Tarar added that negotiations with platforms like Facebook and Instagram are ongoing, focusing on their commercial use and global tax obligations.
Telecom consumers in Pakistan face a 34.50% tax, compared to Sri Lanka (20-40%), Bangladesh (21-33%), India (18.5%), and Nepal (26%), according to the PTA Chairman. He further stated that there have been no cyber attacks on telecom in the past two years.
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As of the latest updates, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has been actively working on the introduction of 5G technology in Pakistan. However, there has not been an official launch date for 5G services announced by the PTA Chairman.
Key Points:
- Trials: The PTA has conducted 5G trials in collaboration with various telecom operators to assess the technology’s feasibility and performance in Pakistan.
- Spectrum Auction: The government and PTA are planning to auction the 5G spectrum, which is a crucial step before the commercial launch of 5G services. The auction date and process details are anticipated to be announced soon.
- Expected Timeline: While an exact date hasn’t been confirmed, the launch is expected to take place in the near future, possibly in 2024 or 2025, depending on the completion of necessary preparations and infrastructure development.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it’s best to keep an eye on official announcements from the PTA or related government bodies.