Do you have an iPhone 3G or any other mobile phone that supports 3G? But if you are in Pakistan then it is of no use because there is no 3G network available. This is really something shocking. The world is now making progressive moves towards 4G technology and telecommunication companies in Pakistan have still not adopted 3G technology.

You might be wondering what 3G technology is. In simple words 3G is International Telecommunication Union (ITU) specification of third generation of mobile communication technology. This technology brings in high bandwidth up to 384 Kbps and 2Mbps in fixed applications. It works over wireless interfaces like GSM, TDMA and CDMA.

PTA, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has been trying to push the 3G service in the country and have offered 3G spectrum auctions but the telecom industry feels resistant in acquiring this new technology. According to them 3G technology needs huge infrastructure and it has high spectrum acquisition cost. They think that they won’t be able to fulfill the cost of this new technology thus they still rely on 2G technology. Telecom companies in Pakistan say that no doubt there is a huge customer base of mobile phone users in Pakistan but only a few need this technology. Still more than 60% percent of Pakistani population lives is rural areas and they do not use internet at all. If the companies adopt this new technology they will have to face huge losses.

There is nothing wrong with the thinking of telecom companies because they are perfectly right. Nobody wants to bear loss in business. But what about the people of Pakistan will they ever be able to benefit themselves from the 3G mobile network services?

The GoP has to play an important role here. It needs to increase the literacy rate, reduce unemployment and poverty in the economy. This will give confidence to the Telecom industry in Pakistan and they will take bold steps towards adopting the 3G technology.