Apple has announced bad news for all iPhone users, saying that there might be a delay in enabling 5G service in the handsets.
iPhone users in Pakistan may have to wait longer for full 5G support, according to officials familiar with discussions between authorities and Apple.
Media reports said the company informed Pakistani authorities that support for 5G services on iPhones in the country could be delayed until 2027 while it reviews market conditions and other commercial factors.
Officials from Pakistan’s Ministry of IT and Telecom said the decision is linked to the relatively small size of Apple’s market in the country, along with technical and business considerations.
Industry experts say high taxes on imported smartphones, particularly iPhones, have also affected Apple’s presence in Pakistan in recent years.
Read more: Govt closes GT road for HTV vehicles to enter Islamabad, Rawalpindi
While iPhone users continue to wait, several Android manufacturers, including Samsung, already offer 5G-enabled smartphones in Pakistan.
Telecom operators have also started introducing 5G services in phases across selected areas of the country.
Earlier this year, the government completed a 5G spectrum auction worth around $507 million as part of efforts to improve high-speed internet services nationwide.
According to telecom officials, trial runs of 5G services have already taken place in different cities.
The possible delay has disappointed some technology users who were expecting broader 5G access on Apple devices after the rollout of next-generation mobile networks in Pakistan.
Officials say work on expanding 5G infrastructure is continuing, but iPhone users may not receive full compatibility until Apple officially enables support for the local market.
Also read: Flypast exercise to begin in Islamabad today to mark Marka-e-Haq celebrations
