Zong has launched a major 5G investment programme to deploy and upgrade more than 1,000 sites across Pakistan during 2026, following the acquisition of a 5G licence and the commercial launch of services in major cities.
The China Mobile subsidiary said its 5G network is now live in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta, with broader coverage already extending to more than 20 cities.
Technical trials recorded speeds above 1.4Gbps, according to the company.
More than 1,000 sites targeted for 5G in 2026
Zong said it plans to deploy and upgrade more than 1,000 sites to 5G technology this year.
The programme builds on an existing network of more than 17,000 sites and over 26,000 kilometres of fibre infrastructure.
The operator said the additional 5G capacity is intended to support growing demand for faster consumer and business connectivity while also improving performance for customers who remain on 4G.
That is because additional spectrum and network capacity can help reduce congestion in high-traffic areas even before 5G adoption becomes widespread.
AI increasingly used to optimise network performance
Zong said artificial intelligence is playing a growing role across its network operations.
The company is using AI-enabled technologies to optimise network performance, detect problems and improve energy efficiency across thousands of sites.
In Islamabad, Zong reported a 39% improvement in peak-hour throughput after deploying AI-enabled network capabilities.
The operator is positioning this combination of 5G, AI and cloud infrastructure as part of a wider effort to modernise Pakistan’s digital infrastructure.
Consumer services include fixed wireless access and AI products
Zong is also developing a range of services intended to sit on top of its 5G network.
For consumers, these include 5G fixed wireless access for home broadband, gaming and streaming bundles, cloud storage, AI-assisted services and smart-home products.
Fixed wireless access could become particularly relevant in areas where fibre-to-the-home deployment is limited or uneconomic.
By using 5G as a broadband access layer, operators can potentially offer high-speed home connectivity without extending fibre directly to every premises.
Enterprise 5G targets private networks and IoT
Zong is also targeting businesses with private networks, enterprise Internet of Things solutions and broader digitisation services.
The company identified healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture and logistics as sectors where 5G-enabled services could be deployed.
Private 5G networks can give enterprises dedicated connectivity with greater control over performance, security and latency than conventional public mobile access.
Zong is supporting these services through Z SAIS, its locally hosted Tier III Intelligent Cloud Computing Center, with zones in Islamabad and Lahore.
The company also offers billing in Pakistani rupees, which can simplify procurement for local enterprises compared with foreign-currency cloud services.
5G rollout linked to Digital Pakistan and CPEC ambitions
Zong said its investment aligns with the government’s Digital Pakistan vision, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor agenda and Vision 2030.
Saira Mirza, deputy director for corporate brand communications and sustainability at Zong, said investment in 5G, cloud and AI could support the digital economy, entrepreneurship and skills development.
She also said the operator will continue to meet Pakistan Telecommunication Authority regulatory requirements and coverage obligations as deployment expands.
Source: https://meatechwatch.com/2026/08/21/zong-launches-1000-site-5g-upgrade-programme-across-pakistan/
