The future belongs to 5G. Representing a complete revolution in the mobile network, the 5G cellular network is expected to achieve an overwhelming 1000 times more and faster data when compared to its predecessor 4G. With mobile phones and other devices downloading data at the speed of light, allowing users to remain connected around the world, amid a tremendous potential for the likes of smart city, home robotics and augmented reality, who wouldn’t wish to be a part of a network that can transform business models and tear down the existing network infrastructures? Perhaps it is this drive to join the thriving club that has steered administration after administration to heroically declare, The Cool Upcoming Wave is On its Way. Although precious declarations have proved to be nothing more than hollow words and meaningless lip service, the recent announcement by a caretaker minister promising a 5G auction within 10 months might pull the proverbial rabbit out of the magician’s hat, after all. A high-level commission for the spectrum auction has already been formed, largely due to the ambition of Dr Umar Saif, who has made quite a reputation for a spirited vision tapping into a technological revolution. That a swift improvement in the infrastructure would automatically facilitate a yet-untapped potential of the IT sector, which can in turn, pull the trade imbalance out of its persisting abyss, does not need to be explained any further. At present, the IT sector offers employment to as many as 150,000 professionals and rakes in revenue to the tune of $2.6 billion through exports. As per the much-heralded prophesies, this revenue can climb to a staggering ten thousand crore while the sector would warmly embrace an overwhelming number of 25 million professionals. It is also said that a dependable, reliable network at par with international standards would help reduce the regional pay gap. As of now, Pakistani software developers earn between $17,000 to $18,000 per annum. In stark contrast, their Indian counterparts can easily earn around $30,000 annually.
That a swift improvement in the infrastructure would automatically facilitate a yet-untapped potential of the IT sector does not need to be explained any further.
All this talk of a fast-tracked economy providing bread and butter to millions while putting Pakistan on the global map is like music to one’s ears but there remains the urgent need to read the obstacles carved on the wall before taking out boats and putting up a frenzied celebration. It goes without saying that the committee would first have to painstakingly deliberate upon a myriad of outstanding issues plaguing the telecommunication sector. Pakistan needs to ramp up the penetration of its optic fibre and carve out a mechanism to ensure the public’s access to smartphones, the most widely used device to access the internet, if it truly wishes to make this a successful experience. There’s no denying that. The committee would also have to rely on some magical buzzwords to hammer out a consensus with some not-so-happy privately held telcos. No qualms about that. But before rolling up their sleeves and getting down to the actual business of governance, the state would have to take care of a major legal obstacle in its way. Thanks to a 25-year-old Frequency Allocation Case, the Sindh High Court is holding on to its injunction against the 5G technology. Earlier, a petition bemoaning the health risks and ecological damage unleashed by the launch of 5G technology had also prompted the issuance of a notice from the Sindh High Court. Streets are rife with rumours about a famous business tycoon in Karachi prioritising his own agenda at the expense of millions that could make merry on their way to the national exchequer. These legal impediments can easily be seen in the light of his agenda. It would be worthwhile for the honourable judges of the high court to realise how every passing day serves to push Pakistan’s telecom industry further against the wall as its competitors are busy sharpening their killer streaks. Why should we sit idle and let countries like India and Bangladesh enjoy the lion’s share in the global revenue? Isn’t it imperative for a country with the fourth largest online employment-seekers to lay down the foundation of an improved technological infrastructure? Instead of dwelling on the past and using decades-old relics as the basis for verdicts, the higher judiciary should instead contemplate the sagaciousness of being a crucial partner in this new chapter of technological advancement. As the first wireless technology stable and fast enough to replace fixed-line broadband cables, 5G holds the potential of greater flexibility while reducing costs. It is time we step into the future.
The writer is OpEd Editor (Daily Times) and can be reached at [email protected]. She tweets @DureAkram