Local mobile phone assemblers/manufacturers are targeting an initial production run of around 2 million 5G-enabled handsets by the time services are launched. The government is pushing for installment-based sales to improve affordability, officials stated. Preparations were being accelerated to ensure a smooth rollout of 5G services in the country.
Local assemblers have already manufactured/assembled about half a million 5G-enabled mobile devices, reflecting early readiness on the device side ahead of the commercial launch. The government is urging manufacturers to make affordable 5G smartphones, priced from around Rs30,000, widely available to support mass adoption.
The spectrum auction is scheduled for next month’s end, with 5G services anticipated within five months in major cities, followed by a phased expansion to other parts of the country. To align handset availability with network deployment, senior government officials, including representatives from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), held a meeting with the Mobile Device Manufacturers (MDM) Association.
The association represents around 35 mobile phone assemblers and manufacturers operating in Pakistan. The meeting was informed that five companies, including Samsung, Vivo, and OPPO, have already begun assembling/manufacturing 5G-enabled handsets, while others are preparing to do so. Without the launch of 5G services, demand for such devices had not existed previously; as soon as services were initiated, work on these devices began gaining momentum.
By the time 5G services commence in the country, there will be no shortage of available 5G-enabled handsets, according to official sources. The government assured industry stakeholders of full support in resolving regulatory and operational hurdles, including facilitation at the import stage and timely issuance of Certificates of Conformity (CoC).
Officials emphasized that uninterrupted supply chains and regulatory certainty would be crucial to meeting handset targets ahead of the 5G launch. In response, participants welcomed the government’s proposal for installment-based purchase options, agreeing to roll out locally assembled 5G handsets priced from Rs30,000 while ramping up production to meet expected demand.
The government also formally proposed manufacturers introduce installment-based purchase options to alleviate financial burdens on consumers in light of current economic conditions. Officials underscored that ensuring affordable devices, alongside spectrum allocation and network readiness, remains central to the success of Pakistan’s 5G rollout, stressing close coordination between regulators, operators, and manufacturers will continue in coming months.