Karachi Gets 189 New 5G Sites Within Months

Karachi's cellular network has seen a dramatic expansion of 5G infrastructure, with the number of operational sites soaring from 90 to over 279 within just a few months. Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) data reveals that leading operators Jazz, Zong, and Ufone have collectively added 189 new 5G sites to the city's network. Jazz leads the charge with 130 sites, followed by Zong's 122 and Ufone's 27, all contributing to the city's status as the metropolitan area with the most 5G deployments.

The rollout covers not only Karachi but extends to 23 cities across Pakistan, marking a significant leap in mobile network capabilities. Currently, Karachi boasts around 5,000 LTE and 4G sites, underscoring the city's role as a telecommunications hub. As the rollout enters its first phase spanning 2026 to 2028, the city is poised to see at least 1,000 5G sites, potentially more, as the target is a minimum of 2,000 sites per operator paired with upgrades to 20 percent of existing 4G infrastructure.

Key requirements include enhancing fiber to the tower ratios to 20 percent and boosting mobile broadband speeds, aiming for a median throughput of 20 Mbps, with PTA setting a baseline speed of 50 Mbps, with an eye towards 100 Mbps. Operators have the flexibility to deploy additional sites based on various factors such as population density, traffic demand, and network coverage needs.

This ambitious expansion is part of a broader initiative to improve mobile broadband quality across key cities, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Peshawar, and Quetta, aiming to meet PTA's licensing targets.