Caretaker Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Dr. Umar Saif, announced that Pakistan is set to launch 5G services by July-August 2024 during the Pakistan Mobile Summit, the country's first-ever mobile conference.
Dr. Umar Saif stated that a 300MHz spectrum would be auctioned for the 5G rollout, emphasizing the need to enhance the optic fiber network, which currently connects only 6,000 out of 56,000 mobile towers nationwide.
In a bid to boost the local mobile industry, the federal government has decided to grant a 3% Research and Development (R&D) allowance to mobile manufacturers, with plans to increase it to 8% in the coming years. This initiative, scheduled to begin in the next fiscal year, aims to encourage local manufacturers in their R&D efforts, aligning with the broader government strategy to strengthen the technology sector and promote self-sufficiency in electronic device production within Pakistan.
Dr. Umar Saif highlighted the achievements of the local mobile manufacturing industry, noting the assembly of approximately 9 million mobile phones valued at around $1.5 billion in the last two years. Currently, 35 different mobile phone brands contribute to the industry, and efforts are underway to manufacture fully assembled phones within the country.
Pakistan, the 7th largest cellular user market globally with 191 million connections, aims to reduce mobile phone imports and establish itself as a significant player in phone manufacturing, with government incentives playing a pivotal role in supporting industry growth.
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tech