Zong, operating as China Mobile Pakistan, is one of the first two telecom operators to launch 5G services in Pakistan. It received its 5G licence from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on March 19, 2026. The company has rolled out services in more than 16 cities. It has also set a target to deploy over 1,000 5G sites across the country in 2026.
Which Cities Have Zong 5G?
Zong’s initial 5G launch covers 16 major cities including the federal capital Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, and Quetta. Coverage is being progressively extended to additional urban centres as tower deployments proceed. Users in these cities can access 5G by simply inserting a 5G-compatible SIM into a supported device, with no additional action required if their existing SIM is already 5G-ready.
Zong’s 5G Strategy: Speed, Enterprise and IoT
Zong has a competitive 5G advantage rooted in years of preparation. The operator has been trialling 5G technology since 2019, making it one of the earliest testers of next-generation networks in South Asia. Its 5G strategy rests on three pillars. It aims to deliver a superior customer experience through strong network performance. It also seeks to expand digital services. In addition, it targets the enterprise sector with integrated 5G solutions. These include cloud platforms, enterprise digitisation tools, IoT ecosystems, and CCTV services.
Spectrum Position: What Zong Holds
In the 5G spectrum auction, Zong secured spectrum in the 700 MHz, 2.3 GHz, 2.6 GHz, and 3.5 GHz bands. The 700 MHz allocation is particularly valuable as it provides deep indoor penetration and extended rural coverage, making Zong’s network resilient across varying terrain and building types. The 3.5 GHz band adds high-capacity mid-band 5G, which delivers the best balance between speed and coverage for urban deployments.
What Speeds Can Zong 5G Users Expect?
Early 5G deployments in Pakistan use Non-Standalone (NSA) architecture, where 5G operates on top of an existing 4G LTE backbone. This means initial speeds will be significantly faster than 4G but may not yet reach the theoretical peaks of standalone 5G. Users in well-covered areas can typically expect download speeds of 300 to 700 Mbps, with latency dropping considerably compared to 4G. As the network matures and transitions to Standalone (SA) architecture, performance will improve further.
Do You Need a New Phone for Zong 5G?
Yes, a 5G-compatible handset is required to access Zong’s 5G network. Flagship devices from Samsung, Apple (iPhone 12 and later), Xiaomi, OPPO, and Vivo that support Pakistani frequency bands will work. Users should also ensure they have a 5G-enabled SIM card. Zong is expected to announce specific 5G package bundles in the coming weeks.
Zong’s 5G launch across 16 cities positions it as a formidable player in Pakistan’s next-generation connectivity market. With the backing of China Mobile — a global 5G leader — and a well-prepared infrastructure strategy, Zong is well placed to compete aggressively in both consumer and enterprise segments.
