Key Takeaways
- The number of 5G sites in Karachi has tripled to 279 from 90 in July 2026.
- Jazz has deployed the most 5G sites with 130, followed by Zong with 122 and Ufone with 27.
- The city aims to have at least 1,000 5G sites by the end of 2028.
The number of operational 5G sites in Karachi has significantly increased, with the total now standing at 279, more than tripling from 90 in July 2026. This expansion is part of a broader rollout of next-generation mobile services in the city.
According to a Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) document, cellular operators have added 189 new 5G sites in Karachi. Jazz leads the deployment with 130 sites, followed closely by Zong with 122 and Ufone with 27.
Karachi is one of 23 cities where cellular mobile operators have started 5G services. The city currently hosts around 5,000 LTE and 4G sites, indicating the significant growth in the 5G network.
The PTA has set a target for each cellular mobile operator to deploy 2,000 5G sites and upgrade at least 20 percent of its existing 4G sites across Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, and Quetta. The first phase of the rollout, covering 2026 to 2028, aims to see the number of 5G sites in Karachi reach at least 1,000.
Operators are also required to increase the fiber to the tower ratio to 20 percent and improve mobile broadband quality from an average throughput of 4 Mbps to a median speed of 20 Mbps. The PTA has set a median baseline speed of 50 Mbps for 5G, with a phased target of 100 Mbps.
The expansion of 5G sites is based on population density, traffic demand, subscriber concentration, network use, and coverage requirements. Operators can deploy additional sites as needed to meet these criteria.
The rapid expansion of 5G in Karachi is expected to enhance mobile broadband quality and provide faster internet speeds to a larger number of users. This development is crucial for the city's digital transformation and the adoption of new technologies.
