Pakistan concludes 5G spectrum auction, prepares for next-gen launches

• Pakistan has finalized spectrum block assignments after completing the auction process.
• The IT minister announced that 5G pilot projects will launch next week in major urban centers.
• New spectrum allocations are expected to increase mobile speeds from 4 Mbps to 20 Mbps.

Pakistan earned approximately $510 million (Rs142.6 billion) from the pioneering auction of Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS) spectrum. The telecom regulator on Thursday finalized the spectrum block placements for the operators through a position assignment auction.

PTA Chairman Hafeez Ur Rehman made the announcement during a news conference alongside Telecom and IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, after the multi-band spectrum auction concluded.

“During the bidding on March 10, we sold 480 MHz of spectrum, which brought in $507 million—roughly Rs142 billion,” he said. “The final position assignment added another $3 million, bringing total revenue to about $510 million (Rs142.6 billion).”

The position assignments settled today involved bidding for various parts of the 2600 MHz and 3500 MHz bands, with operators vying for optimal placement of their spectrum blocks to improve network quality and avoid interference.

The 700 MHz band was not part of this process as it was secured by a single, major operator during the auction.

Shaza Fatima Khawaja, the country’s IT minister, credited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government decisions for making this milestone possible. She highlighted the growing international interest in Pakistan’s digital progress, evidenced by inquiries at the Mobile World Congress about the country’s 5G plans.

She praised the coordinated efforts of PTA, the Frequency Allocation Board, and other agencies, along with military cooperation in clearing spectrum for the new technology.

“The launch of 5G is set to begin in major cities next week, and commercial services should roll out shortly,” she said.

“Access to the internet is now a fundamental need across Pakistan,” she added.

Following directives from the prime minister, the government is also working on a smartphone leasing program to expand device affordability.

She emphasized the bipartisan efforts to reduce taxes on mobile services and devices, although tax responsibilities lie with the Federal Revenue Board.

In response to questions, the PTA chief assured that despite rising operational costs, mobile package prices have only increased modestly—around 10-15% over three years—and that the 5G rollout is unlikely to cause price hikes.

He further explained that the integration of new spectrum will significantly boost connectivity, with average internet speeds projected to jump from approximately 4 Mbps to nearly 20 Mbps.