Pakistan Internet Speed Rises 68.1% as 5G Reaches 24 Cities

Pakistan is making rapid progress in digital connectivity as the country's internet download speeds have increased by 68.1% over the past two years, according to Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja.

The country's 5G network has also expanded to 1,700 sites across 24 cities, marking another major step in Pakistan's transition toward faster mobile connectivity.

The latest figures were shared by the federal minister during a panel discussion at the Global AI and Digital Summit 2026 in Seoul, South Korea. She highlighted developments in Pakistan's telecom infrastructure, fiber-optic networks, 5G deployment and plans for satellite connectivity.

Pakistan Internet Speed Improves by 68.1%

One of the key developments highlighted by the minister is the significant improvement in Pakistan's internet speeds.

According to the latest government figures, internet download speeds in Pakistan have increased by 68.1% during the last two years.

The improvement is linked to continued investment in telecom infrastructure, expansion of fiber-optic networks and the deployment of additional mobile network capacity.

Faster internet is increasingly important for Pakistan as more consumers and businesses rely on online services, digital payments, cloud platforms, video streaming, remote work and artificial intelligence tools.

5G Reaches 1,700 Sites in 24 Pakistani Cities

Pakistan's 5G rollout is also moving forward at a rapid pace.

According to Shaza Fatima Khawaja, 5G services have now reached approximately 1,700 sites across 24 cities.

The expansion comes only months after Pakistan's March 2026 spectrum auction. The minister described the auction as the country's largest ever, involving 480 MHz of spectrum and generating approximately $509 million.

Within six months of the auction, 5G deployment had expanded to 1,700 sites, according to the figures shared by the minister.

Earlier in 2026, PTA officials had reported a much smaller rollout, with 5G initially available across 22 cities. By August, PTA data showed 1,136 active 5G sites in 23 cities, demonstrating how quickly the network has expanded during the year.

What Faster Internet Means for Pakistani Users

The improvement in internet infrastructure could have a direct impact on everyday users.

Faster mobile and fixed-line connectivity can improve:

• Video streaming
• Online gaming
• Video calls
• Remote work
• Online education
• Cloud applications
• Digital banking
• E-commerce
• Freelancing
• AI services
• Large file downloads and uploads

However, actual speeds can vary considerably depending on the operator, location, device, network congestion and available coverage.

Recent PTA benchmarking data showed that 5G users were experiencing substantially faster average download speeds than 4G users, although 5G remained available to users for only a small portion of connected time because the rollout was still in its early stages.

Fiber Network Expands Across Pakistan

Mobile 5G is not the only area where Pakistan is increasing its connectivity infrastructure.

The government says more than 234,000 kilometers of optical fiber have now been deployed across the country.

Fiber-optic infrastructure is important because it provides the backbone for high-speed fixed broadband and mobile networks.

The government has also removed Right of Way (RoW) charges nationwide, according to the minister.

The move is intended to reduce the cost and administrative barriers associated with deploying additional fiber infrastructure.

Greater fiber availability can ultimately help telecom companies expand network capacity and improve internet services in more areas.

Why 5G Expansion Matters for Pakistan

The expansion of 5G is about more than simply increasing smartphone download speeds.

Fifth-generation mobile networks can provide higher capacity, lower latency and better support for large numbers of connected devices.

This could help support emerging technologies such as:

• Artificial intelligence
• Internet of Things (IoT)
• Smart city applications
• Cloud computing
• Industrial automation
• Connected vehicles
• Advanced healthcare services
• Remote collaboration

Pakistan is also attempting to increase local production of 5G-compatible smartphones.

PTA data previously showed that more than 3.8 million 5G-capable devices had been registered in the country, while locally produced 5G phones were approaching one million units by May 2026.

Satellite Internet Could Improve Remote Connectivity

Another important part of Pakistan's connectivity strategy is satellite internet.

The government is working on a satellite licensing framework aimed at improving internet access in underserved parts of the country.

The initiative could be particularly useful in geographically difficult areas, including mountainous regions in northern Pakistan and remote parts of Balochistan.

The federal minister clarified that satellite connectivity is expected to complement existing terrestrial telecom networks rather than replace them.

This approach could give Pakistan additional options for connecting communities where traditional fiber and mobile infrastructure is difficult or expensive to deploy.

5G Rollout Is Still Uneven

Despite the rapid expansion, 5G availability is not yet uniform across Pakistan.

The number of sites has increased substantially, but coverage remains concentrated in major urban areas.

Earlier PTA data showed that Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Faisalabad accounted for a large share of the country's 5G sites.

This means users in major cities are more likely to experience 5G availability than consumers in smaller cities and rural areas.

Network operators will need to continue expanding infrastructure before 5G becomes widely available nationwide.

Do You Need a 5G Phone?

Consumers who want to use Pakistan's 5G networks will need a compatible smartphone.

A 5G-capable phone alone, however, does not guarantee that a user will receive a 5G signal.

The phone must be compatible with the network, the operator must offer 5G coverage in the user's location, and the relevant service must be enabled.

Some devices may also require software updates before certain network features become available.

What About 4G Users?

The expansion of 5G could also benefit people who continue using 4G phones.

As operators add spectrum and upgrade network infrastructure, additional capacity can improve the overall performance of existing networks.

PTA officials previously said the 2026 spectrum auction was expected to improve 4G performance as well as support 5G deployment.

This is important because 4G will remain the primary mobile technology for many Pakistani users while 5G coverage continues to expand.

Pakistan's Digital Infrastructure Is Entering a New Phase

The latest figures show how quickly Pakistan's telecom landscape is changing during 2026.

Internet speeds have improved, fiber infrastructure has expanded, 5G sites are increasing and the government is exploring satellite connectivity for areas that remain difficult to serve through traditional networks.

The combination of these technologies could provide a stronger foundation for Pakistan's digital economy.

For ordinary users, the most noticeable benefits are likely to come through faster internet, better network capacity and improved access to digital services.

Final Thoughts

Pakistan's internet infrastructure is showing significant progress in 2026.

The government says internet download speeds have increased by 68.1% over two years, while 5G services have expanded to approximately 1,700 sites in 24 cities.

At the same time, Pakistan has more than 234,000 kilometers of optical fiber and is working on a satellite licensing framework for underserved regions.

The challenge now is to ensure that these improvements reach beyond the country's largest urban centers.

If 5G coverage continues expanding, fiber deployment accelerates and satellite connectivity becomes available for remote communities, Pakistan could see a major improvement in digital access over the coming years.