Key Takeaways
- National Assembly committee expresses concern over poor internet connectivity in major cities.
- PTA chairman states that 5G services are enabled on existing towers but new infrastructure will take six to eight months.
- Committee proposes utilising renewable energy sources like wind power for telecom sites.
The National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication has expressed serious concern over the unsatisfactory state of internet services in Pakistan, particularly noting that poor connectivity affects major cities such as Karachi. Committee Chairman Syed Aminul Haque observed that users frequently experience slow internet speeds and repeated call connection failures.
PTA Chairman Hafeezur Rehman informed the committee that while 5G services have been launched in 22 cities, no new infrastructure has yet been deployed for these services. He stated that reliable telecommunication services will be provided to the public once uninterrupted power supply is ensured through alternative energy sources like wind and solar power.
The committee noted that one of the major challenges affecting internet quality is the shortage of electricity for basic telecommunications infrastructure. Prolonged power outages, particularly in areas with up to 10 hours of loadshedding daily, significantly affect telecom services. The PTA chairman acknowledged this issue and mentioned that it has been taken up with Nepra and relevant power distribution companies.
Committee members proposed utilising renewable energy sources, especially wind energy, for powering telecom infrastructure. They also recommended that the ministry direct telecom operators to gradually install renewable energy infrastructure at telecom sites. Hafeezur Rehman stated that the prime minister has constituted a high-level committee to devise a sustainable solution for ensuring uninterrupted power supply.
The committee sought a briefing on taxes imposed on imported mobile phones and was informed by PTA Chairman that around 92 per cent of smartphones currently being used in Pakistan are manufactured or assembled locally, while only 8 per cent are imported. Most other brands are assembled within the country and thus not subject to import duties.
Committee members directed the IT Ministry to encourage leading global smartphone manufacturers like Apple to establish local manufacturing or assembly facilities in Pakistan. They believe that this would help reduce reliance on imported devices and improve overall telecom infrastructure.
Users frequently experience slow internet speeds and repeated call connection failures despite multiple attempts.
Committee Chairman Syed Aminul Haque, National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication
The matter has been taken up with Nepra and the relevant power distribution companies, which have been brought on board to address the issue.
PTA Chairman Hafeezur Rehman, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority
