5G in Pakistan 2026: cities, phones, prices and how to turn it on

5G in Pakistan is live on Jazz and Zong since 19 and 20 March 2026, in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Multan, Faisalabad and other big cities. You do not need a new SIM or a special package on Jazz: a 5G phone, a 4G-capable SIM and a spot inside 5G coverage are enough. This guide covers who has 5G, where it works, which phones get it, what it costs and how to switch it on.

5G in Pakistan at a glance

Who won which 5G spectrum

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) sold 480 MHz of spectrum for $507 million on 10 March 2026, over three rounds of bidding. The split, as reported by Dawn:

Why it matters to you: 3500 MHz is the main 5G band and gives the highest speeds in cities; 700 MHz travels further and gets through walls, which helps coverage indoors and outside the big cities. Jazz is the only operator with 700 MHz. Ufone has the biggest block of 3500 MHz. Telenor Pakistan was sold to PTCL (Ufone's parent) in December 2025, and the merger was still waiting for PTA approval at the time of the licences, so Telenor did not bid on its own.

Where 5G works now

Coverage is by site, not by whole city. Being in Lahore does not mean every street has 5G.

• Jazz: went live on about 180 sites on launch day, in Islamabad, all four provincial capitals and big cities including Rawalpindi, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Multan and Faisalabad. Jazz has said it is adding sites through the year.
• Zong: launched commercially in more than 16 cities, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta, and said it plans to deploy or upgrade more than 1,000 5G sites in 2026.
• Ufone: holds the licence and PTA's go-ahead. Check Ufone's own site or helpline for the cities where it is switched on before you buy a phone for Ufone 5G.

If you live in a smaller city (Sialkot, Gujranwala, Hyderabad, Bahawalpur, Abbottabad), expect 4G for now and faster 4G as operators reuse the new spectrum.

How to use 5G: step by step

1. Check your phone. Open Settings and look for a network mode with "5G" in it (Android: Settings, Connections or SIM, Mobile networks, Network mode; iPhone: Settings, Mobile Data, Mobile Data Options, Voice and Data). If there is no 5G option, the phone cannot use 5G whatever the network. Jazz publishes a handset list at jazz.com.pk/5g-handsets.
2. Make sure the phone is PTA-approved. A phone that is not registered with DIRBS gets blocked on every network, 5G or not. See our PTA IMEI check guide and the PTA mobile tax calculator if you bought it abroad.
3. Keep your SIM. On Jazz, any SIM that supports 4G also supports 5G. If your SIM is very old (3G only), swap it for a 4G SIM at a franchise with your CNIC.
4. Turn 5G on. Set the network mode to "5G/LTE/3G/2G (auto connect)" or "5G Auto" on iPhone.
5. Stand where there is coverage. The status bar shows "5G" only when you are near a 5G site. Indoors, it may drop back to 4G.
6. Use your normal bundle. Jazz says there is no separate 5G package; your prepaid or postpaid data bundle is charged as usual, and without a bundle the base rate applies. Compare bundle prices on our mobile packages page.

Which phones support 5G in Pakistan

From Jazz's published list (September 2026), examples by brand:

• Apple: iPhone 12 to iPhone 17 series, iPhone SE (3rd generation), iPhone Air
• Samsung: Galaxy A16 to A57 5G models, Galaxy S22 to S26 series, Z Flip and Z Fold
• Xiaomi and Redmi: Redmi Note 13 to 15 Pro series, POCO F, M and X 5G models, Xiaomi 11 to 15
• Tecno: Camon 30 to 50 series, Phantom V Fold and Flip, Pova 5G models
• Vivo: V23 to V70, X60 to X300
• Oppo: Reno 11 to 15 series
• Realme: GT 6 to GT 7T, realme 12 to 15 series
• Also listed: Infinix, Nothing, Honor, Motorola, ZTE 5G models

A model name with "5G" in it (Galaxy A17 5G, for example) is the safe sign. The cheaper version without "5G" (Galaxy A17) does not have a 5G modem. See current official prices on our mobile prices page.

What 5G costs

• Spectrum: $507 million paid by the three operators to the government.
• For you: nothing extra on Jazz today. You pay for your data bundle, and 5G may use it faster because pages, videos and downloads load at higher quality. Remember the tax on every recharge; our mobile load tax calculator shows how much of a Rs 1,000 load you actually get.
• The phone: the real cost. 5G handsets start well above the cheapest 4G phones; compare before you upgrade.

Common mistakes

• Buying a non-5G variant. Many popular models come in 4G and 5G versions under nearly the same name.
• Assuming the whole city has 5G. Coverage is by site; check the status bar where you live and work.
• Paying for a "5G SIM". On Jazz, no new SIM is needed if yours already works on 4G. Be wary of anyone selling a special 5G SIM.
• Leaving 5G on in weak coverage. Constant switching between 4G and 5G drains the battery. Set 4G only when you are outside 5G areas.
• Using a non-PTA phone. It will be blocked regardless of 5G support.

What comes next

PTA officials said at the auction that 4G quality should improve noticeably within four to five months and that 5G should reach the major cities within five to six months. With Ufone's large 3500 MHz block and Jazz's 700 MHz holding, the next year should bring wider coverage outside the provincial capitals. We will update this page as operators announce new cities.