Gilgit-Baltistan clears policy directives for 5G trials

ISLAMABAD: The way has been opened for the start of 5G testing in Gilgit-Baltistan after policy directives for trial runs were approved, with four telecom operators expected to begin preparations soon.

The approval was granted by the Gilgit-Baltistan Council, which is chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. According to Gilgit-Baltistan Caretaker Information Technology Minister Ghulam Abbas, the council secretariat had prepared a summary seeking approval of the policy directives for 5G trials in the region.

Abbas said the summary had already been endorsed by the ministries of Law and IT. He said that after the prime minister’s approval, the document would now be sent back to the IT ministry.

‘The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is the telecom sector regulator. The IT ministry will authorise the PTA to initiate the 5G test trials,’ Abbas said.

The country held its 5G spectrum auction on March 10, but Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir were not included because separate regulations apply in those regions.

PTA to issue directions after ministry approval

A senior PTA official said the policy had already been drafted. The official said that once the IT ministry gives its approval, the four telecom companies operating in Gilgit-Baltistan would be instructed to begin the trials.

Following the merger of Ufone with Telenor Pakistan, three telecom companies are operating in the country: Ufone, Zong and Jazz. In Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the Special Communications Organisation (SCO), a state-owned subsidiary of the IT ministry, also operates, making the total number of operators in Gilgit-Baltistan four.

The PTA official said the authority would issue directions to these four operators to start making arrangements for the trials ahead of a future 5G spectrum auction in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Three frequency bands identified for testing

Three spectrum bands are mainly used for 5G services: 2,300 megahertz (MHz), 2,600 MHz and 3,500 MHz. The telecommunication authority will make available spectrum in these frequency ranges for the test phase.

The trials are intended to help telecom companies assess their systems and determine compatibility with the new frequencies across the region. The exercise will also enable operators to plan for future participation in the spectrum auction for Gilgit-Baltistan.

The move marks the next procedural step for introducing 5G services in the region under its separate regulatory framework.