Telcos to Launch 5G Testing Phase in Gilgit Baltistan After Govt Approval

With formal approval in place, Pakistan’s telecom sector is now shifting focus toward operational readiness as preparations begin for 5G test trials in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), marking the next phase in expanding connectivity.

The Gilgit-Baltistan Council has already cleared the policy framework for conducting 5G trials in the region. The matter is expected to be formally routed to the telecom regulator in the coming days for implementation.

According to officials, attention has now moved from approval to execution, with telecom operators and regulators coordinating technical groundwork for the upcoming trials.

GB caretaker Minister for Information Technology Ghulam Abbas said the council secretariat had finalized a summary outlining policy directives for the 5G testing phase. The proposal has been vetted by both the Ministry of Law and the Ministry of IT.

Once formally signed off by the Prime Minister, the summary will be sent to the Ministry of IT, which will authorize the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to begin the trial process.

A PTA official confirmed that internal planning is already underway. Following final clearance, telecom operators active in GB will be instructed to prepare for field testing and network validation.

The 5G spectrum auction held on March 10 did not include Gilgit-Baltistan or Azad Jammu and Kashmir due to separate regulatory arrangements for these regions.

At present, the country’s telecom landscape includes Jazz, Zong, and the merged Ufone-Telenor entity, along with the Special Communications Organisation (SCO), which operates specifically in GB and AJK.

PTA will coordinate with all four operators to ensure readiness ahead of testing, particularly in challenging mountainous terrain where network performance and signal stability will be evaluated.

The trial phase will utilize key frequency bands including 2300 MHz, 2600 MHz, and 3500 MHz, allowing companies to assess infrastructure requirements, signal behaviour, and deployment feasibility before any commercial rollout.

The testing phase in GB will play a crucial role in shaping Pakistan’s broader 5G rollout strategy, especially in remote and high-altitude regions.