5G services will reportedly remain unavailable for iPhone users in Pakistan for the time being, as Apple is expected to enable 5G support for iPhones in the country in 2027, according to Tribune. Officials from the Ministry of IT and Telecom stated that Apple has communicated to authorities that it plans to activate 5G functionality for Pakistani iPhone users after conducting an assessment of the local market size and usage potential in 2027. At present, Apple is not immediately enabling 5G services for users in Pakistan, and the company is still evaluating commercial and technical conditions before rolling out the feature.
Government officials indicated that high taxation on imported mobile phones, particularly iPhones, has significantly impacted Apple’s market penetration in Pakistan, which is one of the factors being considered in the company’s evaluation process. Despite the absence of 5G support on iPhones, other smartphone ecosystems such as Samsung already offer 5G connectivity in Pakistan, giving users access to next generation mobile services on supported devices. The difference in device level activation has also highlighted the role of manufacturer level approvals in enabling advanced network features even when telecom infrastructure is available.
Earlier in the year, the government conducted a major 5G spectrum auction in March, generating $507 million aimed at improving internet speed, capacity, and overall service quality across the country. Telecom operators have already started launching limited 5G services in selected areas where testing infrastructure has been deployed. Although the original target was 597 MHz of spectrum, the government ultimately sold 480 MHz during the auction process. Three major telecom operators, Jazz, Zong, and Ufone, secured frequency allocations to support future rollout of next generation mobile networks. According to PTA, the auction included spectrum across multiple bands, including two lots in the 700 MHz band, all five lots in the 2,300 MHz band, all 19 lots in the 2,600 MHz band, and 22 out of 28 lots in the 3,500 MHz band, contributing to the total 480 MHz allocation.
Jazz emerged as the largest spectrum buyer in the auction, securing a total of 190 MHz. Its allocation includes 50 MHz in the 3,500 MHz band, 70 MHz in the 2,600 MHz band, 50 MHz in the 2,300 MHz band, and 20 MHz in the 700 MHz band. Industry officials further noted that telecom operators have already placed orders for the necessary equipment required to support 5G deployment in Pakistan. These preparations are aligned with phased network upgrades being carried out by operators as part of their rollout strategy. The combination of spectrum allocation, infrastructure upgrades, and device level enablement from global manufacturers such as Apple is expected to shape the pace of 5G adoption in the country as ecosystem readiness continues to develop across both network and handset segments.
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