Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited aka PTCL Group including Ufone is among one of the country’s largest telecom groups and the backbone of connectivity in Pakistan has successfully conducted a 5G test at a special ceremony held at PTCL Headquarters.
The ceremony was graced by Syed Amin Ul Haque, Federal Minister for Information Technology & Telecommunication as the Chief Guest. It was also attended by, Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui, Federal Secretary IT & Telecom and Chairman Board of Directors, Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), Major General (R) Amir Azeem Bajwa HI (M), Chairman, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), H.E. Hamad Obaid Ibrahimi Alzabbi, UAE Ambassador to Pakistan, along with senior government and PTCL officials and members of PTCL Board.
Syed Amin Ul Haque, Federal Minister for Information Technology & Telecommunication, along with other dignitaries, was presented an overview of the live 5G usage scenarios at the ceremony.
“I am glad to be present on this crucial event as PTCL Group takes a momentous step of successful trial of 5G technology in Pakistan. Ministry of IT & Telecom is committed on Prime Minister’s vision of a Digital Pakistan & Broadband for all its utility and is striving towards realization of PM’s vision further as boundless, high speed & resilient. I believe that communication plays a major role in the social economic development and uplift of the financial inclusion of the country. 5G technology will surely enable an emerging technological environment & eco system conducive for economic prosperity in Pakistan.” said, Syed Amin Ul Haque, Federal Minister for Information Technology & Telecommunication.
The demonstrations included remote surgery, Cloud gaming and an overview of anticipated 5G technology applications in Pakistan. Moreover, PTCL Group was able to achieve a data rate with download speeds reaching 1.685 Gb/s during the 5G trial in a limited environment.
“We are committed to the vision of a Digital Pakistan. PTCL Group’s successful 5G trial today is a major step that will pave the way towards digitalization of Pakistan. This technology will open new avenues in many fields such as education, health, security and communication that will have a positive social and economic impact for our country.” said, Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui, Federal Secretary, IT and Telecommunication & Chairman PTCL Board of Directors.
5G will help the digitalization of Pakistan by connecting more and more people with robust purpose-built technology opening up opportunities for industries as well as individuals.
This technology will enable future innovation in sectors such as remote education, public safety, transportation, health, manufacturing amongst others.
“PTCL has been serving the nation since 1947 as an integral part of everyone’s lives in the country. With today’s successful 5G trial in a limited environment, we believe that this technology will unlock new realities for eHealth, smart homes & cities, agriculture, autonomous vehicles, Cloud computing, Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence. PTCL Group’s remote surgery demo enabled by 5G, successfully tested for the first time in Pakistan, will enable people living in far-flung areas to potentially have access to the best medical facilities available anywhere in the world.” said, on the occasion, Nadeem Khan, Acting CEO & Group Chief Financial Officer, PTCL Group.
It is to be noted here that the PTCL Group in 5G test has achieved the fastest download speed among all the telcos companies yet leaving behind Zong, Jazz and Telenor 5G tests.