The telecommunications industry is rapidly advancing, particularly in cellular network communications that use air as the transmission medium, with 5G new radio (NR) emerging as a key global technology including in Indonesia. Defined by enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) offering speeds up to 10 Gbps, ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC) with latency below 1 millisecond, and massive machine-type communications (mMTC) supporting large-scale internet of things (IoT) connectivity, 5G plays a crucial role in modern digital infrastructure. This study focuses on the city of Parepare in South Sulawesi, an area driven by trade, port operations, fisheries, shipbuilding, and natural tourism highlighting the need for high-speed and reliable data services. The research aims to develop a comprehensive 5G NR network plan for Parepare through coverage and capacity analyses evaluating synchronization signal-reference signal received power (SS-RSRP), signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SS-SINR), and throughput performance. Using Atoll software to design and map next-generation Node B (gNodeB) placements, the study offers a scientific approach to optimizing 5G deployment and supporting the city’s economic growth and tourism potential.