The government has acknowledged that Sector I-16 of Islamabad has no dedicated cellular site, leaving residents with weak or limited mobile coverage. In a written reply submitted to the National Assembly by the Minister In-charge of the Cabinet Division, the government said 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.

The government has acknowledged that Sector I-16 of Islamabad has no dedicated cellular site, leaving residents with weak or limited mobile coverage.

In a written reply submitted to the National Assembly by the Minister In-charge of the Cabinet Division, the government said 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 reported 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 started 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.

The government said the existing sites are operating normally, but cellular operators have not reported immediate plans 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.

The government said 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 help improve indoor mobile coverage in areas with weak signals.

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