Pakistan’s long-awaited transition to 5G technology moved a step closer as the government met key demands of cellular operators, paving the way for full participation in the ongoing spectrum auction by all major telecom companies.
According to reports, a mock auction exercise was successfully conducted with the participation of Jazz, Zong, and Ufone. All three operators reportedly expressed satisfaction with the auction mechanism and confidence in the transparency of the process.
Government Creates ‘Level Playing Field’
Speaking during a background briefing, Shaza Fatima, Minister for IT and Telecom, said the government had addressed the core concerns of telecom operators to ensure a fair and competitive auction environment.
She confirmed that several financial and policy-related demands had been accepted, significantly easing the burden on telecom companies. As a result, the government expects to generate between $300 million and $700 million in revenue from the auction.
Multiple Rounds and Expanded Spectrum
Officials said the auction will be conducted in multiple digital bidding rounds, depending on demand and competition. Pakistan is currently operating with only 274 MHz of spectrum, a limitation that has contributed to congestion and declining service quality.
To address this, the government is offering 600 MHz of spectrum, including four newly introduced frequency bands. Each telecom operator is required to acquire a minimum of 100 MHz, ensuring that at least 300 MHz is added to the system.
“This will effectively double the available spectrum and significantly improve network quality,” the minister said, adding that enhancing 4G coverage and performance remains a priority alongside the rollout of 5G.
Mandatory Bands for 5G Services
To ensure that all participating companies are capable of launching 5G services, the auction policy makes it compulsory to acquire the 3500 MHz and 2600 MHz bands, which are considered critical for 5G operations.
In addition, the 700 MHz band has been offered for the first time. This band is particularly important for wide-area and long-distance coverage and is expected to improve basic telephony and mobile services in densely populated and underserved regions.
PTA Confirms Fully Digital Auction
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority Chairman Hafeez ur Rehman confirmed that the auction will be conducted entirely through a digital platform.
He said none of the participating telecom companies had raised objections to the auction software or process, and added that there is currently no requirement for a new telecom operator to enter the Pakistani market.
Hafeez ur Rehman also noted that recent PTA policy reforms are expected to expand telecom services to localized and remote areas over the coming months and years.
With all major operators now actively participating, industry observers see the spectrum auction as a decisive step toward strengthening Pakistan’s digital infrastructure and finally ushering in the era of 5G connectivity.
