The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued strict guidelines for incumbent mobile operators participating in the upcoming 5G spectrum auction, emphasizing mandatory minimum bids in the first round or facing immediate disqualification.
Minimum Bidding Requirement in Round One
According to the PTA, any operator that fails to meet the minimum bidding threshold in Round 1 will be excluded from the auction, and their pre-bid deposit will be forfeited. Bidders who do not submit valid bids will be considered as having placed zero bids across all categories.
Incumbent operators are required to bid for at least five lots each in the 2600 MHz and 3500 MHz bands during the first round. Any bid below this requirement will be declared invalid under the auction rules.
Spectrum Allocation Not Guaranteed
The PTA clarified that meeting the minimum bidding requirement does not guarantee spectrum allocation. Operators may receive fewer lots than initially bid for, depending on competition and auction dynamics.
Applications and Pre-Bid Deposits
Applicants are not required to declare their spectrum demand when submitting applications. The pre-bid deposit only indicates a commitment to comply with the minimum bidding requirement in the first round, not a claim over a specific quantity of spectrum.
Preparing for Pakistan’s First 5G Auction
This clarification comes as Pakistan gears up for its first 5G auction, with rules designed to ensure serious participation from existing operators while maintaining transparency and competitiveness in the allocation process.
