The short version
Pakistan held its 5G spectrum auction on 10 March 2026, raising about $507 million. Jazz, Zong and Ufone received 5G licences from the PTA on 19 March 2026.
Jazz and Zong launched commercial 5G soon after, starting in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta. Coverage is expanding through 2026, but it is still patchy, so check your operator's coverage map before paying for a 5G package or phone.
The 2026 spectrum auction
The government sold 480 MHz of spectrum across four bands: 700 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2600 MHz and 3500 MHz. The 3500 MHz band carries most of the 5G speed. The 700 MHz band travels further and helps coverage indoors and outside cities.
| Operator | Spectrum won |
|---|---|
| Jazz | 190 MHz, including 50 MHz in the 3500 MHz band and 20 MHz in the 700 MHz band |
| Ufone | 180 MHz, including 120 MHz in the 3500 MHz band |
| Zong | 110 MHz, including 50 MHz in the 3500 MHz band |
Which networks have launched
| Operator | Status | First cities |
|---|---|---|
| Zong | Launched first | More than 16 cities, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta |
| Jazz | Launched | Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Multan and Faisalabad |
| Ufone | Licensed; check its website for launch status | — |
Launch-city lists do not mean whole-city coverage. Early 5G sites are concentrated in busy commercial areas, and your phone falls back to 4G elsewhere.
How to get 5G on your phone
You need all four of these:
- A 5G phone that supports Pakistan's bands. The key band is 3500 MHz (n78). Check your exact model's specifications, as some versions sold abroad support different bands.
- PTA registration. The phone must be PTA-approved, or registered through DIRBS if you brought it from abroad. Unregistered phones are blocked from Pakistani networks.
- 5G turned on in settings. On iPhone: Settings → Mobile Data → Mobile Data Options → Voice & Data. On Android: Settings → Connections or Network → Mobile networks → Network mode.
- Coverage and a suitable package. Be in a covered area, and check whether your operator requires a 5G-enabled package. Dial your operator's helpline or use its app to check.
Prices and packages
Operators set and change 5G packages often, and prices differ between prepaid and postpaid. Check the operator's app or website for current packages. Before upgrading:
- Compare the 5G package with your current 4G package. In areas with weak 5G coverage you may not notice a difference.
- Check the data allowance, because faster speeds use data more quickly, especially for video.
- Check whether the listed price includes taxes, which apply to mobile services in Pakistan.
Our guide to checking your balance and packages lists each network's codes.
Is 5G worth it yet?
- Worth it if you live or work in a covered area, already have a compatible phone and use a lot of data for video, gaming or hotspot use.
- Not worth buying a new phone for, yet, if you live outside the main cities. Coverage will take time to spread, and good 4G is enough for most everyday use.
To see what speed you actually get, run a test with the steps in our guide to checking your internet speed.
Key takeaways
- Pakistan's 5G auction took place in March 2026, and Jazz, Zong and Ufone hold licences.
- Jazz and Zong have launched in major cities, with coverage expanding through 2026.
- You need a PTA-registered phone that supports the 3500 MHz (n78) band.
- Check your operator's coverage map and current packages before upgrading.
Network launches, coverage and packages change quickly. Check with your operator for the latest information.