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The federal government is gearing up to hold a crucial meeting of the Auction Advisory Committee to finalize plans for Pakistan’s first 5G spectrum auction. According to sources familiar with the matter, the meeting is expected later this week or early next week after Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb returns to the country.
The committee’s discussions will shape the roadmap for the upcoming 5G spectrum auction, which is likely to take place in February or March next year. Officials confirmed that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s (PTA) 5G consultant will present a detailed report during the meeting. The document will outline the framework for the auction process and the nationwide rollout of next-generation mobile technology.
This comprehensive report will serve as the foundation for Pakistan’s 5G strategy, addressing both technical and policy aspects to ensure a transparent and competitive process.
The consultant’s presentation is expected to include a market readiness assessment, spectrum valuation and pricing strategy, spectrum band allocation plan, rollout obligations, coverage targets, and policy recommendations. These components will help the government design a structured, efficient, and sustainable auction plan.
Initially, the government aimed to conduct the 5G auction by the end of this year. However, several obstacles forced delays. Key among them are pending court cases related to spectrum allocation and the ongoing merger of Ufone and Telenor.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority is currently reviewing the merger after approval from the Competition Commission. Officials expect a final decision on the merger within weeks, which could remove a major hurdle to the 5G auction.
Experts say Pakistan’s 5G rollout continues to face significant economic and structural challenges. These include operator hesitation due to financial instability, heavy taxation, high spectrum costs, and unresolved litigation involving 146 MHz of spectrum. Other issues include weak infrastructure and low affordability of 5G-enabled devices.
Industry stakeholders have urged the government to introduce rational pricing and flexible payment options. They argue that such measures would attract investment and accelerate the successful launch of 5G services across Pakistan.
