Pakistan is moving to strengthen oversight of its radio frequency spectrum as the country enters the 5G era, with the Frequency Allocation Board (FAB) upgrading its nationwide monitoring network to improve interference detection and supervision of wireless services.

The modernization initiative is aimed at equipping FAB’s regional monitoring network with advanced technologies capable of tracking increasingly complex spectrum use associated with 5G and other emerging wireless technologies.

As part of the upgrade, FAB signed a contract with global spectrum monitoring and measurement systems manufacturer Rohde & Schwarz in August for the supply of advanced spectrum monitoring receivers and network scanners.

The new equipment will be installed at strategic locations across FAB’s regional monitoring network, expanding geographical coverage and improving the authority’s ability to monitor radio frequency activity across the country.

According to the available information, the upgraded infrastructure is expected to help authorities identify unauthorized or problematic spectrum use more effectively while enabling faster detection and mitigation of harmful interference.

The need for stronger monitoring capabilities is becoming more significant as Pakistan introduces new frequency bands, services, and wireless technologies associated with 5G. The transition is expected to increase the complexity of spectrum management and place greater demands on regulatory and technical monitoring systems.

FAB, which is responsible for managing Pakistan’s radio frequency spectrum, has been working to integrate 5G-capable monitoring technologies into its infrastructure to keep pace with changes in the telecommunications sector.

The upgraded systems are also expected to strengthen regulatory oversight of wireless services and support more efficient utilization of the country’s limited spectrum resources.

The contract with Rohde & Schwarz represents another step in the modernisation of Pakistan’s spectrum monitoring framework as authorities prepare for the growing technical demands of next-generation wireless networks.