Amir Saeed

The exponential rise of broadband internet has caused a major shift in Pakistan’s telecom landscape. Since 97% of users rely on wireless mobile connections, the demand for spectrum is rising at an unprecedented rate. Talking to WealthPK, World Bank consultant on IT and Digitisation Dr. Jorkanda Tomkova said broadband internet had emerged as a key component of contemporary communication with its high-speed connectivity and ability to serve a wide range of activities, including online schooling and streaming services. The mobile broadband usage in Pakistan has surpassed that of other internet connectivity options, following a global trend in which wireless solutions are favoured due to their accessibility and simplicity. However, because mobile networks are used so frequently, there is now a greater demand for frequency spectrum, a limited resource that is essential to mobile communications. She pointed out that the demand for spectrum had increased due to the surge in mobile internet usage, raising concerns about possible network performance bottlenecks.

The available spectrum needs to be distributed effectively, as the number of users and their data consumption increase to avoid congestion and preserve service quality. She suggested that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) should optimize spectrum management to address these issues by redistributing the current spectrum and looking for ways to obtain new frequencies. Talking to WealthPK, Asim Javed, General Manager of ICT Projects and Systems at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), highlighted that 4G expansion and the upcoming deployment of 5G networks were pivotal in managing the growing demand for mobile broadband. The 4G networks have already significantly improved internet speeds and connectivity, but the anticipated rollout of 5G promises even greater advancements. “The 5G technology is expected to revolutionize various sectors with higher data rates and lower latency, including healthcare, education, and entertainment. However, its successful implementation will heavily rely on the availability of adequate spectrum.”

He mentioned that much of the spectrum still lay unused, in part because of antiquated laws and sluggish reallocation process. These inefficiencies must be addressed to fully utilize the frequencies that are currently available and satisfy the increasing demand for mobile data. “The government needs to take the socioeconomic effects of the digital divide into account. The rural communities lag behind the urban areas in terms of high-speed internet availability. It is imperative to incorporate allowances for underserved areas in spectrum allocation and network expansion policies to promote inclusive digital growth and close the connectivity gap between the urban and rural areas,” Asim said. He said international collaboration and best practices would play a vital role in managing the spectrum demand. By learning from the experiences of other countries and participating in the global spectrum management forums, the country can adopt innovative solutions and regulatory frameworks that enhance spectrum efficiency and support sustainable network development.

Credit: INP-WealthPk