Zong, formally known as CMPak Limited, is a prominent mobile data network operator based in Pakistan. The company is wholly owned by China Mobile, marking it as their first overseas establishment. It gained its license to operate a GSM network in Pakistan in 2008 through an acquisition from Millicom. The company's history dates back to 1991, when it began operations as Paktel under Cable & Wireless. It was the first company in Pakistan to be granted a free license for cellular phone services. In 2007, Millicom International Cellular S.A. sold its majority stake in Paktel to China Mobile. Following this, Paktel was renamed to China Mobile Pakistan in May of the same year. By April 2008, the company was rebranded to its current name, Zong.

Alias
CMPak Limited
Country
Pakistan
Type
Mobile Network Operator
Ownership
China Mobile
Zong Pakistan logo

3G Network

The company provides 2G GSM services over 900 and 1800 MHz, and in June 2014 launched 3G UMTS (DC-HSPA+) over B1 (2100 MHz).

Network Frequency Band Status
B1 (2100 MHz)
Active
Date Event Subtype
Launch of 3G Network
Launch

4G Network

Zong was the first mobile network in Pakistan to offer 4G LTE when in September 2014 its B3 (1800 MHz) service went live over a 10 MHz block of spectrum awarded from the April 2014 PTA auction. The company has since refarmed 5 MHz of the original 6 MHz allotted to 1800 MHz GSM to increase B3 channel width to 15 MHz (as its 10 + 6 MHz spectrum is contiguous).

4G Frequency Bands
Network Frequency Band Max. Channel Bandwidth Status Known EARFCNs
B1 (2100 MHz)
10
Active
50
B3 (1800 MHz)
15
Active
1572
Date Event Subtype
Launch of 4G Network
Launch

5G Network

In August 2019 Zong announced the successful testing of 5G, establishing the trial at its headquarters in Islamabad, and generating download speeds in excess of 1 Gbps. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) authorised temporary 5G licences for MNOs to test their networks on the 2.6 and 3.5 GHz bands.

Date Event Subtype