Pakistan has completed the second phase of its 5G spectrum auction, marking a major step toward launching next-generation mobile services.
Federal Minister for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja announced that the auction will generate $510 million for the government and pave the way for 5G services in the country.
The second phase of the 5G spectrum auction was held at the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), where telecom companies competed for spectrum positioning.
Operators bid for positions in the 2600 MHz and 3500 MHz frequency bands, which are considered critical for deploying 5G networks.
The results for the positioning of both bands were announced by Federal IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja and PTA Chairman after the bidding process concluded.
According to the auction details, the bidding process for the 2600 MHz band positioning was completed in three phases. Meanwhile, the 3500 MHz band positioning saw a longer bidding process and concluded after five rounds of bidding.
The positioning results for both bands were announced simultaneously after the completion of the auction process.
Telecom operators purchase 480 MHz spectrum
During the auction briefing, PTA DG Licensing Aamir Shahzad said that three telecom operators participated in the auction and purchased 480 MHz of spectrum. He explained that in the second phase, operators were bidding for band positioning rather than additional spectrum allocation.
According to Shahzad, the auction began with the 2600 MHz positioning bid, followed by bidding for the 3500 MHz band.
The first round of bidding for the 2600 MHz band started with a 15-minute session in which all three telecom companies participated through online bidding.
Interest remained strong as the process moved into the second round, where the positioning price for the 2600 MHz band was set at $100,000.
All three operators continued to participate, and the process entered the third round, after which the 2600 MHz positioning was finalized, with each telecom company selecting its respective position.
Bidding intensifies for 3500 MHz band
The 3500 MHz positioning auction began at 12:30pm, with the IT minister formally inaugurating the process. The bidding continued through five rounds, with telecom companies maintaining their positions through the early rounds.
In later rounds, the bid amount increased sharply from $100,000 to $1 million, reflecting strong competition among operators.
Despite the rising price, none of the telecom companies relinquished their preferred positions, and the bidding concluded successfully after the fifth round.
Announcing the results, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja confirmed that the government of Pakistan will receive $510 million from the 5G spectrum auction. She said that 480 MHz of spectrum has been sold, and the telecom operators purchased it using their own resources.
According to the minister, all auction procedures have now been completed successfully.
Pakistan enters era of 5G
Shaza Fatima said the successful auction marks Pakistan’s entry into the era of 5G technology. She described the development as an important milestone in the country’s digital transformation, adding that it is “good news for the entire nation, especially the youth.”
The minister said that 5G will not only improve existing 4G services but will also introduce faster and more reliable connectivity across Pakistan.
Pilot project next week
The IT minister announced that the pilot project for 5G services will start next week. She noted that the availability of additional spectrum will significantly increase internet speed and improve connectivity in the country.
According to her, Pakistan previously operated on 274 MHz of spectrum, but with the latest allocation, the country now ranks among nations with above-average spectrum availability.
Shaza Fatima said the launch of 5G is closely linked to the Prime Minister’s Digital Pakistan vision. She emphasized that fast internet is essential for education, healthcare, agriculture, trade and the economy.
The minister also highlighted the importance of high-speed internet for national security, noting that cyberwarfare has become a significant component of modern conflicts.
Focus on fiberisation, telecom expansion
The IT minister stressed the need to expand fiberization across the country to further improve internet quality. She also noted that the government introduced an Mobile Virtual Network Operator policy to attract international telecom companies.
According to her, discussions are already underway with several companies interested in launching MVNO services in Pakistan.
The PTA chairman said that the authority ensured transparency throughout the auction process. He confirmed that band allocation was carried out within the available spectrum, with the 2600 MHz band already allocated before finalizing the 3500 MHz results.
Historic day for Pakistan’s technology sector
Shaza Fatima described the completion of the 5G auction as a historic moment in Pakistan’s technology development. She credited the PTA chairman and his team for working day and night for nearly two years to make the auction possible.
The minister also praised the participation of telecom operators and members of the action committee, saying their involvement helped make the auction successful.
According to her, the prime minister’s difficult decisions played a key role in enabling the project.
“These difficult decisions will bear fruit,” she said, adding that the launch of 5G represents a major leap forward for Pakistan’s digital economy.
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