ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani government successfully generated Rs507 million through the highly anticipated 5G spectrum auction, with three telecom operators securing frequencies to introduce advanced mobile services. The auction involved the sale of 480 MHz of spectrum out of a targeted 597 MHz.
The bidding process concluded after three rounds, with Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Hafeez Ur Rehman announcing the results in the presence of Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima.
Hafeez Ur Rehman explained that the auction included the sale of two out of three lots in the 700 MHz band, all five lots in the 2300 MHz band, the entire 19 lots in the 2600 MHz band, and 22 of 28 lots in the 3500 MHz band, totaling 480 MHz of spectrum sold.
Describing the event as a “historic and celebratory milestone” for Pakistan, the PTA chief highlighted the country’s strides in digital advancement. He appreciated the active participation of telecom providers, which ensured competitive bidding and fair pricing.
Looking ahead, he announced that the next phase of the auction, scheduled to take place shortly after, will involve allocating specific spectrum lots within each band. Operators will then choose their preferred frequencies in the upper, middle, or lower segments of each band based on their strategic needs.
During the event, the IT minister called the auction a significant breakthrough in Pakistan’s telecom history. She stressed that the entire process was conducted transparently, with live broadcast coverage from the PTA’s control room to ensure public trust and accountability.
“Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed that every detail of the auction be transparent and accessible to the public,” she noted. She also praised the efforts of the PTA, industry stakeholders, international consultants, and the Ministry of IT in making the auction possible.
Reflecting on Pakistan’s telecom evolution, Fatima mentioned that the country first launched 3G and 4G services between 2014 and 2016 under the leadership of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The current spectrum availability marks a turning point, moving Pakistan from spectrum scarcity to regional standards.
She emphasized that the newly acquired spectrum would boost internet speeds and connectivity, providing a better mobile experience for millions of Pakistanis in the near future.
Initially, 5G services will be rolled out in Islamabad and key provincial capitals, marking Pakistan’s official entry into the next generation of mobile technology.
The minister also acknowledged the vital contributions of the Spectrum Advisory Committee (SAC), the Ministry of Finance, and other government agencies in facilitating the auction. She appreciated the media’s role in supporting the live coverage of the event, ensuring transparency and public engagement.
