Pakistan raises Rs507M from 5G spectrum auction, PTA announces

• Three telecom providers have secured spectrum rights to enable 5G services.
• The 5G rollout will start in Islamabad and other major provincial cities, according to the IT minister.
• A subsequent auction phase is scheduled for the day after tomorrow, says PTA chairman.

The government announced on Tuesday that it raised approximately $507 million through a highly anticipated 5G spectrum auction, selling 480 MHz of spectrum out of a target of 597 MHz. This allows three telecom companies to begin deploying next-gen mobile networks.

The auction wrapped up after three rounds, with results revealed by Hafeez Ur Rehman, Chair of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), alongside Federal Minister for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima.

Rehman reported that the auction included the sale of two of three lots in the 700 MHz band, all five in the 2300 MHz band, all 19 in the 2600 MHz band, and 22 of 28 lots in the 3500 MHz band, totaling 480 MHz sold.

The PTA chairman described the event as “a historic and jubilant milestone” in Pakistan’s digital evolution, emphasizing the country’s progress in technological advancement.

He commended the telecom operators for their active participation, which kept prices competitive.

Looking ahead, the next phase of the auction, scheduled to occur the day after tomorrow, will assign specific spectrum blocks within each band. The operators will decide internally whether to take higher, middle, or lower frequency segments.

The IT minister called the auction a major breakthrough in Pakistan’s telecom history. She stressed that the process was fully transparent, with all bidding activities broadcast live from a dedicated PTA control room.

“Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed that every detail be broadcast live to ensure transparency and maintain public confidence,” she stated.

She also acknowledged the crucial contributions of PTA, industry partners, foreign consultants, and the Ministry of IT in organizing and managing the auction.

She recalled that Pakistan first adopted 3G and 4G technologies between 2014 and 2016 under former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s leadership, laying the groundwork for today’s digital advancements. The addition of the 600 MHz spectrum moves Pakistan from a spectrum-deficient position to aligning with regional standards.

Fatima highlighted that the new spectrum will drastically boost internet speeds and connectivity for millions across the country, leading to better mobile experiences soon.

The initial launch of 5G services will be in Islamabad and other provincial capitals, marking Pakistan’s official entry into the club of countries offering next-generation mobile technologies.

She praised the Spectrum Advisory Committee, the Ministry of Finance, and various government agencies for their support in facilitating the auction process.

The minister also appreciated the media for supporting the live broadcast and transparency of the event.