5G Spectrum Auction Update: Pakistan Sets New Timeline

Pakistan is moving forward with 5G rollout as the government announces a new auction timeline. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has set the first quarter of next year for the 5G spectrum auction, after the earlier December deadline was missed.

The development comes after National Economic Research Associates Inc (NERA), a US-based consultancy, submitted its report on the 5G spectrum auction to the Spectrum Advisory Committee during a closed-door meeting on Friday.

The committee, chaired by the Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, included top officials from IT, Science & Technology, Industries, PTA, FAB, and security agencies. Supporting staff were asked to leave, allowing only committee members to attend.

The Frequency Allocation Board (FAB) has identified 606 MHz of spectrum across six key bands: 700, 1800, 2100, 2300, 2600, and 3500 MHz. This represents over 200% more capacity than Pakistan’s current holdings, setting the stage for nationwide 5G deployment and digital transformation.

NERA’s report provides in-depth guidance, including:

• Market readiness assessment for 5G adoption.
• Policy and infrastructure recommendations to boost broadband and sector growth.
• Phase-wise auction strategy for paired (700, 1800, 2100 MHz) and unpaired (2300, 2600, 3500 MHz) spectrum.
• Pricing analysis per MHz in USD and PKR with 3-year projections.
• Flexible payment options and rollout obligations.
• Licensing frameworks, network rollout targets, and incentives for auction winners.
• Auction design, duration, base prices, and terms to ensure investor confidence.

The advisory committee will deliberate internally before sending recommendations to the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) and the federal cabinet. The Minister of IT & Telecom will then issue the official policy directive for the auction.