The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has achieved a significant milestone with the introduction of the 6 Gigahertz (GHz) spectrum band for unlicensed operation, paving the way for Wi-Fi 6E adoption in the country.
With this move, Pakistan becomes the 10th country in the Asia Pacific region and one of only 60 countries worldwide to allocate the 6GHz band for Radio Local Area Networks (RLAN), commonly known as Wi-Fi. The announcement was made during an event titled “Unlocking Pakistan’s Connectivity: Enablement of Next-Gen Wi-Fi in 6GHz Band.”
PTA Chairman Major General (retd) Hafeez Ur Rehman emphasized Pakistan’s leadership role in embracing next-generation RLAN technology, positioning the nation as a forward-thinking player in the region. Wi-Fi 6E, operating in the 6GHz band, promises to alleviate congestion and latency issues faced by current Wi-Fi networks operating in the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands.
Currently, Wi-Fi in Pakistan operates within the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, each with limited bandwidths of 100 MHz and 150 MHz, respectively. The introduction of Wi-Fi 6E is expected to revolutionize connectivity by offering wider bandwidth and improved performance, as stated in an official statement by PTA.
This development underscores Pakistan’s commitment to harnessing the transformative potential of advanced wireless technologies, ensuring enhanced connectivity and paving the way for digital innovation and economic growth.