Technology & Gadgets | July 2026 | 4 min read
⚡ Quick Takeaways
- Shaza Fatima told a National Assembly committee that broadband access now reaches nearly 97 percent of Pakistan’s population.
- The government says internet usage has grown as more people rely on digital services for work, payments, learning and communication.
- Available mobile spectrum has increased from 274 MHz to 480 MHz after a March auction aimed at improving network capacity.
- The average internet user spends Rs285 per month on data services, according to the minister’s briefing.
- The proposed Telecom Amendment Bill is expected to improve Right of Way rules for faster infrastructure deployment.
Pakistan’s broadband network now reaches nearly all of the country’s population, according to Minister of State for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima. The claim, made during a briefing to the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology, points to a much wider digital footprint but also raises the next question for policymakers: whether coverage is being matched by reliable speed, affordable data and stronger network capacity.
| 97%
Population with access |
480 MHz
Available mobile spectrum |
Rs285
Average monthly data spend |
Broadband Coverage Nears Full Population Reach
Briefing lawmakers on Tuesday, Shaza Fatima said nearly 97 percent of Pakistan’s population now has access to broadband internet. The figure suggests that basic network availability has expanded sharply in recent years, helped by rising mobile broadband use and growing demand for online services across urban and rural areas.
Access, however, is only one part of the digital inclusion story. A household or user may live within broadband coverage but still face weak indoor signals, network congestion, limited device access or affordability barriers. That makes the government’s next challenge less about headline coverage and more about quality, consistency and practical use of the network.
| Why it matters: Near-universal broadband access can support digital payments, online learning, telemedicine, e-government services and small business activity if quality improves alongside coverage. |
Spectrum Expansion Targets Capacity and 5G Readiness
The minister said the government increased available mobile spectrum from 274 MHz to 480 MHz after conducting a spectrum auction in March. Spectrum is a critical input for mobile operators because it determines how much wireless capacity can be delivered to users, especially in crowded cities and high-traffic areas.
Additional spectrum should help operators manage rising data consumption and prepare networks for future 5G services. Pakistan’s mobile networks have carried the bulk of the country’s broadband growth, so more capacity can reduce pressure on existing bands, improve user experience and support more advanced services over time.
| Indicator | Earlier position | Current update | Policy relevance |
| Broadband access | Expansion phase | Nearly 97% of population | Shows wider network reach |
| Mobile spectrum | 274 MHz available | 480 MHz after March auction | Supports capacity and 5G planning |
| Monthly data spend | Affordability pressure remains | Average user spends Rs285 | Tracks cost of connectivity |
| Right of Way | Deployment bottlenecks | Telecom Amendment Bill proposed | Could speed up towers and fibre |
Rs285 Monthly Spend Shows the Affordability Question
Shaza Fatima also told the committee that the average internet user in Pakistan spends Rs285 per month on data services. The number indicates that mobile internet remains relatively low-cost for many users, but affordability must still be assessed against income levels, usage needs and the quality of service available in different parts of the country.
A low monthly spend can mean better affordability, but it can also reflect small data bundles, limited usage or price-sensitive customers restricting consumption. As more services move online, users need enough data for video, education, work tools, banking, government forms and communication. That makes both pricing and network performance important for meaningful access.
| Affordability signal: The Rs285 average data spend is useful, but it should be read with service quality, usage volume and income levels before judging whether internet access is truly affordable. |
Right of Way Reform Could Speed Up Infrastructure
The proposed Telecom Amendment Bill is expected to improve the Right of Way framework, which governs how telecom companies obtain permissions to lay fibre, install equipment and expand network infrastructure. Operators have long argued that delays, local approvals and inconsistent charges slow down expansion and increase costs.
A clearer RoW regime could help deploy more towers, fibre routes and backhaul links, all of which are needed for stronger broadband and future 5G services. The impact will depend on how clearly the law defines approval timelines, dispute resolution, local authority coordination and cost structures for infrastructure rollout.
| Watch point: Coverage numbers should not be treated as a substitute for independent reporting on speed, reliability, outages, affordability and rural service quality. |
The Next Test Is Better Internet, Not Just More Internet
Pakistan’s latest broadband update shows that the country is moving from the access phase toward the quality phase of digital development. If almost every citizen can theoretically connect, the priority now becomes faster service, lower congestion, transparent pricing, stronger consumer protection and better fixed and mobile backhaul.
The government’s spectrum expansion and proposed telecom reforms can support that shift, but delivery will depend on investment by operators and consistent regulation. For users, the practical measure will be simple: whether internet works reliably where they live, study, work and run businesses. That is the standard by which the 97 percent access claim will ultimately be tested.
Disclaimer: This article is based on ministerial briefing details, committee reporting and telecom-sector information available at the time of writing. Coverage, pricing and spectrum figures may be revised through later official updates.
