5G Readiness Plan for Pakistan (World Bank / MOITT)
AI brief
The 5G Readiness Plan for Pakistan is a World Bank technical advisory report commissioned by the Ministry of IT & Telecom (MoITT), finalized in August 2021, providing a comprehensive roadmap for Pakistan's transition to 5G technology. The report concludes that Pakistan's market is not yet 5G ready as of August 2021, citing three key barriers: lack of affordable contiguous spectrum blocks, insufficient fiber backhaul infrastructure, and absence of affordable 5G devices. It recommends that Pakistan set a goal of achieving 840 MHz of IMT spectrum in low and mid-bands by end-2022/early-2023, with optimal pioneer 5G bands identified as 3.5 GHz (n78) and 2.3 GHz (n40). The report stresses that spectrum pricing should be structured so even the weakest MNO can participate, as economic benefits of affordable broadband significantly outweigh maximized spectrum revenues. It further recommends regulatory interventions including improved site access, accelerated fiberization, right-of-way reforms, and a public education campaign on 5G safety.
Key questions answered
What are the three preconditions Pakistan must fulfill before it can successfully deploy 5G?
According to Section 1 of the Executive Summary, Pakistan requires: (i) larger contiguous blocks of reasonably priced spectrum in accordance with a spectrum roadmap aiming for 840 MHz of IMT spectrum in low and mid-bands by end-2022/early-2023; (ii) fiberization and transmission capacity upgrades for backhaul; and (iii) policy support enabling consumers to access affordable 4G/5G capable smartphones and devices. These three conditions must be addressed concurrently with a government announcement supporting 5G deployment by 2022.
Which spectrum bands are recommended as optimal for Pakistan's initial 5G deployment?
Per Section 5.3(b), the optimal pioneer 5G bands for Pakistan are the 3.5 GHz (n78) and 2.3 GHz (n40) bands, both being TDD capacity bands currently available. The 2.3 GHz band has the advantage of being usable by MNOs initially for 4G before transitioning to 5G. Section 5.3(c) further specifies that the 2.6 GHz band (n41) would add capacity in urban areas, while 700 MHz (n28) is optimal for coverage extending services outside cities. The report recommends a minimum block size of 50-60 MHz per MNO.
What does the report recommend regarding 5G spectrum pricing and why?
Section 5.5 states that spectrum reserve prices for 3.5 and/or 2.6 GHz bands should be determined by an independent spectrum auction consultant to incentivize early deployment. Critically, pricing must allow even the weakest MNO to acquire spectrum to maintain four-MNO competition. The report explicitly states: 'The economic benefits of making additional 4G and 5G services available at reasonable prices in Pakistan significantly outweigh any revenue forego from maximizing 5G spectrum prices.' Prices per MHz should be lower than current 900/1800 MHz prices, as high spectrum prices will reduce investment in 4G/5G network equipment, backhaul, and tower infrastructure.
What regulatory interventions does the report recommend to accelerate 5G readiness?
Section 7 outlines multiple interventions: (a) improved access to towers and sites for 5G deployment with PTA facilitating industry bodies for infrastructure sharing; (b) accelerated fiber connectivity to base stations; (c) improved Right-of-Way (ROW) procedures with establishment of a national infrastructure database; (d) continued investment in international transmission capacity and cloud infrastructure; and (e) public education campaigns by PTA and Ministry of Health on 5G safety. Section 7.6 specifically notes recent policy announcements on infrastructure sharing should be fully implemented.
What timeline does the report propose for IMT spectrum release, and what coverage commitments are suggested?
Section 4 and 5.3 reference a recommended timeline for spectrum release: Phase 1a targets 3.5 GHz and 2.3 GHz bands (mid-2022), Phase 1b addresses 2.6 GHz pending court case resolution, Phase 2 considers 700 MHz for coverage, and mmWave could be released late-2022 if market demand exists. Per Section 5.7.1, with reasonable pricing, the PTA should consider including a network rollout obligation in 3.5 GHz licenses requiring 30 percent population coverage within 3 years, potentially increasing to 50 percent or more with sub-1 GHz spectrum. These requirements should align with Pakistan's national broadband coverage and universal service policies.
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