Karachi Sees Rapid Expansion of 5G Network With 189 New Sites
Karachi: The rollout of 5G technology in Karachi has accelerated significantly, with the number of operational 5G sites increasing from 90 in July 2026 to 279 within a few months.
According to data from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), cellular operators have added 189 new 5G sites across the city as telecom companies expand next-generation mobile connectivity.
Jazz Leads 5G Deployment
Among the major operators, Jazz has deployed 130 5G sites, while Zong has established 122 and Ufone has deployed 27 sites.
5G services are currently available in 23 cities across Pakistan, with Karachi having the highest number of deployed 5G sites.
The city already has approximately 5,000 LTE and 4G sites, providing the existing infrastructure for mobile connectivity.
Karachi Could Reach 1,000 5G Sites
The number of 5G sites in Karachi is expected to reach at least 1,000 by the end of the first rollout phase, which covers the period from 2026 to 2028.
The 1,000-site figure represents a minimum requirement under the licensing framework rather than a maximum limit. Operators can install additional 5G sites depending on network requirements and demand.
Operators Given Nationwide 5G Targets
Under the first phase of the rollout, each cellular mobile operator is required to establish 2,000 5G sites across Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta.
Operators must also upgrade at least 20% of their existing 4G sites in these cities as part of the network modernization plan.
Another requirement is to increase the fiber-to-the-tower ratio to 20%, which is aimed at improving network capacity and reliability.
Higher Mobile Internet Speeds Expected
The rollout plan also targets a significant improvement in mobile broadband performance.
Operators are expected to improve average mobile broadband throughput from around 4 Mbps to a median speed of 20 Mbps.
For 5G networks, the PTA has established a 50 Mbps median baseline, with a phased target of reaching 100 Mbps.
More Sites Could Be Added Based on Demand
Telecom companies can deploy additional 5G sites according to factors such as population density, network traffic, subscriber concentration, usage patterns and coverage requirements.
The rapid increase in Karachi’s 5G infrastructure indicates that the city is emerging as a key market for Pakistan’s next-generation mobile network rollout, with further expansion expected during the 2026–2028 implementation period.
