Islamabad:
The Asian Development Bank (BAD) has published a new report analyzing the digital ecosystem of Pakistan, revealing important structural challenges and persistent shortcomings in digital infrastructure and adoption.
The report aims to provide a complete overview of the country’s digital development to help decision -makers and stakeholders to make informed decisions. He concludes that Pakistan takes considerably behind other nations in the progression of digital connectivity and the modernization of its telecommunications sector.
According to the report, Pakistan is lagging behind many countries in the promotion of 4G technology and has not yet deployed 5G services. It also remains one of the most taxed telecommunications markets in the region, discouraging both the investment and the affordability of the users.
While the Pakistan telecommunications sector is currently evaluated at $ 4.52 billion, it should reach $ 5.32 billion by 2029. However, this growth is threatened by a lack of fiber optical expansion and a minimum investment in digital networks, largely due to political instability and political delays in the past five years.
One of the most conclusions concerning the report is the continuous delay of Pakistan in the 5G spectrum of the auction, while 101 countries in the world have already launched 5G commercial services. The government has also made no expenditure on the 3G spectrum, highlighting more in -depth stagnation in the development of the network.
The BAD notes that the digital economy in Pakistan contributes only 1.5% to GDP, well below its potential. Fixed wide -band penetration remains alarming at 1.3%, one of the lowest rates in the region.
The report also draws attention to brutal disparities in digital access, especially for women and low -income groups. While 80% of the population is covered by mobile internet networks, actual use is limited. The property of the mobile phone is 86% for men and 53% for women, internet access reaching only 53% of men and 33% of women.
