Govt plans easy-installment 5G phones after spectrum auction
“The federal government is preparing a leasing policy to make 5G smartphones available on easy monthly installments after the upcoming spectrum auction.”
Key points
- The federal government is preparing a leasing policy to make 5G smartphones available on easy monthly installments after the upcoming spectrum auction.
- Officials say affordable devices are essential for broader digital adoption and 5G uptake in Pakistan.
Pakistan's federal government has prepared an initial mobile phone leasing policy aimed at making smartphones more affordable after the planned 5G rollout. Officials said the draft is being refined with input from telecom operators, banks and industry stakeholders before implementation.
During a background briefing on the 5G auction, IT Ministry Secretary Zarrar Hasham Khan said the policy is intended to help more citizens access modern devices without paying the full cost upfront. PTA Chairman Major General (R) Hafeez Ur Rehman added that entry-level 5G handsets are expected to remain within an affordable range of about Rs40,000 to Rs45,000.
The government also pointed to Pakistan's local manufacturing base, saying most phones sold in the country are assembled domestically and that several manufacturers have already begun producing 5G-capable models. Officials see wider smartphone access as a necessary step for stronger adoption of digital services once high-speed networks go live.
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