Spectrum Requirement for 5G Deployment in Pakistan

As the world transitions towards the era of 5G technology, the allocation and utilization of frequency bands and network spectrum hold utmost importance. Countries around the globe adopt varying frequency bands for 5G deployment, driven by spectrum availability and local regulatory policies. So, let’s take a look at are frequency band and network spectrum.

Frequency Band:

A frequency band refers to a particular range of frequencies within the electromagnetic spectrum. Generally, it is defined by its lower and upper limits (e.g. 1-6 GHz band) and covers a range of frequencies that share similar properties. Frequency bands are allocated for a wide range of purposes, including telecommunications, broadcasting, and wireless networking.

Network Spectrum:

A network spectrum is the collection of frequency bands allocated and licensed for use by a specific telecommunications network operator or service provider. It includes the range of frequencies assigned to the operator for the provision of telecom and wireless communication services, such as mobile voice and data services. Generally, network spectrum is typically obtained through regulatory processes managed by the government. In Pakistan, a spectrum auction is held by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) after approval from the federal government.

Click here to get more information regarding spectrum auctions held in Pakistan.

Spectrum Required for 5G Deployment

Mid-band spectrum (1-6 GHz):

The midband spectrum includes frequency bands like 2.5 GHz, 3.5 GHz, and 4.5 GHz. It provides a good balance between coverage and capacity and is well-suited for applications like mobile broadband, wireless communication, etc.

High-band spectrum (above 6 GHz):

The high-band spectrum includes frequency bands like 24 GHz, 28 GHz, and 39 GHz. It offers extremely high data rates and low latency, but has limited coverage and can be affected by buildings and trees. The high band spectrum is used for industrial IoT, self-driving cars, etc.

To deploy 5G, mobile network operators will require access to a huge amount of spectrum in these frequency bands. The requirement of spectrum also depends on a variety of factors, including the level of demand for 5G services, the density of mobile devices and infrastructure, and the available spectrum resources in a given region. Generally, experts say that around 80MHz-100MHz is the minimum spectrum requirement for 5G deployment.

Anyone who is eager to know more about 5G in Pakistan including its launch date, applications, challenges, etc, can read the article mentioned below:

5G in Pakistan: All You Need to Know!