5G must not leave millions offline, warns Jazz CEO

Pakistan’s shift toward 5G should not come at the cost of leaving millions without basic mobile broadband access, according to Aamir Ibrahim, who said the country’s digital progress must remain anchored in both innovation and inclusion.

Commenting on the outcome of Pakistan’s latest spectrum auction, Ibrahim said expanding nationwide connectivity remains a critical priority even as the industry moves toward next generation technologies.

In the auction, Jazz secured the largest share of additional spectrum, acquiring 190 MHz across the newly introduced 700, 2300, 2600 and 3500 MHz bands. The acquisition gives the operator spectrum holdings across all available frequency ranges, allowing it to combine wide-area coverage with higher network capacity needed for future technologies.

According to Ibrahim, a balanced spectrum portfolio is essential to improving connectivity across Pakistan’s diverse geography, where operators must simultaneously expand coverage, enhance network performance and prepare for evolving digital services.

While mid and high band spectrum strengthens capacity and supports the rollout of 5G services, low band frequencies such as 700 MHz are critical for extending mobile broadband coverage over larger areas. Jazz was the sole bidder for the 700 MHz band in the auction.

The band is widely regarded as one of the most effective frequencies for expanding coverage due to its strong propagation characteristics. Signals travel longer distances and penetrate buildings more effectively, allowing operators to extend connectivity more efficiently in rural and remote communities.

Despite rapid growth in data consumption, Pakistan still faces significant connectivity gaps. Industry estimates suggest that around 40 percent of mobile subscribers remain without access to 4G services, while nearly a quarter of the population is still outside mobile broadband coverage.

Ibrahim said the decision to acquire the 700 MHz spectrum was also shaped by the company’s experience in expanding digital financial services across Pakistan. “As we worked to expand QR payments and digital transactions at retail outlets, particularly through JazzCash, it became clear that many rural communities still struggle with reliable connectivity,” he said. 

“That experience reinforced an important lesson: financial inclusion cannot happen without digital connectivity. While the 700 MHz band was among the most expensive spectrum on offer, we believed it was essential to secure it to help bring more Pakistanis into the digital and financial ecosystem.”

He added that while 5G represents an important technological milestone, the country’s digital progress must remain grounded in inclusion by continuing to extend reliable mobile broadband to communities that still lack access to high-speed connectivity.

Ibrahim said closing these gaps requires operators to deploy the right mix of spectrum to improve both coverage and capacity.

“Pakistan’s digital future must be both forward looking and inclusive,” he said. “As the country moves toward 5G, it is equally important to ensure that millions of Pakistanis who remain outside the digital connectivity layer are brought online. Connectivity should expand opportunity, not deepen the divide.”

He noted that mobile connectivity now underpins a growing range of digital services, including financial technology, online commerce, cloud-based enterprise platforms and digital entertainment.

Supporting this expansion will require continued investment in network infrastructure. On Tuesday, Jazz announced plans to invest $1 billion over the next three years to strengthen its network and digital infrastructure while supporting the rollout of 5G services.

Ibrahim said maintaining a balance between technological advancement and broad-based connectivity will be essential as Pakistan enters the next phase of its digital transformation.

“The objective must remain clear,” he said. “Building a digital ecosystem that works for everyone while preparing the country for the technologies of the future.”