5G rollout positioned to boost local handset production

Pakistan’s mobile phone industry is preparing for commercial 5G network launch expected by mid‑year, with local handset makers adjusting hardware and production plans to meet anticipated demand.

Industry executives said assembly and manufacturing capacity in the country has grown, with more than 30 units producing about 30 million handsets annually, giving local firms a base to shift toward 5G‑ready devices.

Zeeshan Mianoor, Chief Executive Officer of Inovi Telecom, told Wealth Pakistan that “local assembly and manufacturing capabilities have strengthened significantly, and manufacturers … have already aligned their roadmaps with next‑generation technologies.” He added that while handset makers are largely ready, the “full benefits of 5G will depend on timely spectrum allocation, a phased network rollout and consumer affordability.”

Mianoor noted that many smartphones assembled or sold in Pakistan already support key 5G frequency bands but said such devices are mostly in mid‑ to high‑price segments, starting at around Rs75,000. He said demand for 5G‑compatible handsets is expected to grow gradually, with early adoption likely in major urban centres such as Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad.

Industry representatives said manufacturers will continue offering 4G devices for price‑sensitive consumers while introducing new or upgraded 5G models in line with network rollout timelines and market demand.