Sri Lanka marked a major milestone in its digital transformation journey with the official awarding of 5G spectrum licenses at a ceremonial event organised by the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL), under the patronage of the Ministry of Digital Economy.
The rollout of 5G technology is a critical enabler of Sri Lanka’s digital economy vision. With its high-speed connectivity, ultra-low latency, and enhanced reliability, 5G will support transformative applications across key sectors including industry, healthcare, education, logistics, smart cities, and public services, while creating new opportunities for innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital services.
Beyond improved connectivity, 5G serves as a foundational platform for digital economic growth, enabling advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), automation, cloud computing, and data-driven services. These capabilities will drive productivity gains, improve service delivery, attract digital investments, and strengthen Sri Lanka’s national competitiveness.
By enabling real-time communication, large-scale device connectivity, and high-capacity data transmission, 5G will facilitate the development of future-ready industries and promote greater digital inclusion. The technology is expected to play a vital role in positioning Sri Lanka more competitively within the global digital economy, supporting the country’s ambition of achieving a USD 15 billion digital economy by 2030.
Marking the commencement of licensed 5G deployment in Sri Lanka, Dialog Axiata PLC and Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel formally received their spectrum licenses, reaffirming their role in advancing the nation’s next-generation mobile network infrastructure.
Under the spectrum assignment, frequencies were awarded across two key bands. In the 3500 MHz band, 100 MHz in the 3400–3500 MHz range was assigned to Dialog Axiata PLC, while 100 MHz in the 3500–3600 MHz range was allocated to Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel. Additionally, spectrum in the 27 GHz band was awarded, with 200 MHz in the 27,200–27,400 MHz range assigned to Dialog Axiata PLC to support high-capacity 5G deployments.
The event was attended by Hon. Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, Eng. Eranga Weeraratne; Director General of TRCSL, Retired Air Vice Marshal Bandula Herath; Mr. Waruna Sri Dhanapala, Chairman of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka; Dr. Sulakshana Jayawardena, Chairman of the Auction Committee; Mr. Supun Weerasinghe, Director and Group Chief Executive of Dialog Axiata PLC; and Dr. Mothilal de Silva, Chairman and Director of Mobitel (Private) Limited, along with other senior officials and key stakeholders from the telecommunications sector.