Pakistan has taken a significant step towards a more connected future with Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announcing the allocation of the 6 GHz spectrum band for unlicensed Wi-Fi operation. This move positions Pakistan as the 10th country in Asia Pacific and one of only 60 globally to embrace Wi-Fi 6E technology.
The announcement came during an event titled “Unlocking Pakistan’s Connectivity: Enablement of Next-Gen Wi-Fi in 6 GHz Band.” PTA Chairman, Major General (Ret.) Hafeez Ur Rehman, highlighted Pakistan’s role as a regional frontrunner in adopting this transformative technology. Representatives from industry leaders like META, Dynamic Spectrum Alliance, Jazz, Nayatel, and Huawei also participated, discussing the potential benefits of Wi-Fi 6E for Pakistan.
Currently, Wi-Fi in Pakistan operates in the crowded 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, leading to congestion and latency issues. Wi-Fi 6E offers a wider bandwidth (up to 1.2 GHz) in the 6 GHz band, significantly reducing congestion and enabling faster, more reliable internet connections.
This initiative aligns with the government’s “Digital Pakistan” vision. The PTA aims to leverage Wi-Fi 6E to empower businesses, bridge the digital divide, and foster a more inclusive digital economy by providing high-speed internet access across Pakistan.