The government has acknowledged that Sector I-16 of Islamabad has no dedicated cellular site, leaving residents with fragile or limited mobile coverage.
In a written reply submitted to the National Assembly by the Minister In-charge of the Cabinet Division, officials stated I-14 and I-16 are newly developed sectors with relatively low population density, with I-16 being the least populated sector of the federal capital.
Cellular operators have established 12 dedicated sites across I-14 and I-16, up from nine noted earlier. However, all 12 sites are located in I-14.
The sector has three Jazz sites, three Zong sites, two Telenor sites, and one Ufone site, providing partial to adequate coverage. Zong has also kicked off 5G services in I-14.
In contrast, no operator has a dedicated site inside I-16. Mobile signals are being extended from Jazz, Zong, and Ufone sites located along the sector’s edges, resulting in weak and limited coverage.
What happened
Officials stated the existing sites are operating normally, but cellular operators have not reported immediate aims to establish new sites, upgrade technology, or deploy 5G in I-16.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has taken up the issue with the operators and directed them to assess coverage gaps, optimize their networks, and identify feasible measures to improve voice and data services.
Officials stated low population density, limited commercial viability, and insufficient returns on investment have contributed to the lack of new cellular infrastructure in I-16.
It added that type-approved repeaters or amplifiers and Voice over Wi-Fi (VoWiFi) could assist improve indoor mobile coverage in areas with weak signals.
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