Pakistan’s long-awaited 5G rollout is facing fresh delays, with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) attributing the holdup to the lack of progress in the PTCL-Telenor merger deal. The authority revealed that the uncertainty surrounding the acquisition is preventing the finalization of critical policy decisions—especially the planning and execution of spectrum auctions essential for 5G services.
The merger, expected to consolidate market operations and boost telecom investment, remains in limbo. PTA officials have stated that without clarity on the future structure and ownership of Telenor Pakistan, regulatory approvals and spectrum planning cannot proceed. As a result, the country’s ambitions for a modern digital infrastructure and enhanced mobile broadband are being pushed further down the line.
The delay is also unsettling investors and stakeholders in the telecom sector, as the lack of a clear direction impedes planning, network upgrades, and infrastructure expansion that are prerequisites for successful 5G deployment.
Pakistan’s 5G launch is stalled due to delays in the PTCL-Telenor merger. PTA says it cannot proceed with spectrum allocation or policy steps until the acquisition is clarified, impacting telecom growth and digital progress nationwide.
5G delay Pakistan, PTCL Telenor deal, telecom policy hurdles
