ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Monday briefed Senate’s Standing Committee on Information Technology it would take around four to five years to introduce 5G service in the country.
PTA member Dr Khawar Siddique Khokhar told Senate’s Standing Committee that he would require at least two months to make a detailed report on the 5G plan.
He also informed the committee about the history of 5G plan in the country which began in 2017.
He said several cellular operators sought permission for trial which was granted to them by PTA.
“Although we allowed Zong to conduct a test, we never gave them permission to test it on a commercial level. They were granted very basic and limited permission for three months,” he clarified.
On this, Senator Shahzad Waseem said that everyone should get equal opportunities and PTA must ensure transparency in its working.
However, Senator Kulsoom Parveen insisted that Zong had abused the permission of testing 5G.
Replying to Senator Attique Shaikh’s question about PTA’s role in testing the 5G technology, an official said that it was common practice in the whole world that cellular and internet service providers make their individual preparations to get the license for any latest service and regulatory authority can play no role in this regard.
