PTA Clears Major Telecom Acquisition, Paving Way for 5G Auction

Pakistan is officially moving forward with its 5G rollout. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has cleared a major telecom company to acquire a foreign mobile operator. This development marks a vital step toward the country’s long-awaited spectrum auction.

The PTA issued a no-objection certificate (NOC) to the telecom firm following a thorough regulatory review. Previously, the Competition Commission of Pakistan had referred the merger case to the PTA in October.

However, this approval is conditional. Officials confirmed that the company agreed to specific terms regarding service quality, fair competition, and the protection of stakeholder interests. Consequently, the firm will now seek mandatory approvals from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

This merger clearance comes at a pivotal moment. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has set a new target for the 5G auction, now scheduled for the first quarter of 2026 (February or March).

To support this massive upgrade, the Frequency Allocation Board (FAB) has identified 606 MHz of new spectrum. This includes six key bands: 700, 1800, 2100, 2300, 2600, and 3500 MHz. Currently, Pakistan operates on just 274 MHz, less than half the capacity of neighbouring nations. Therefore, this addition represents a capacity increase of over 200%, which is essential for stabilising the country’s struggling internet services.

Despite the progress, significant hurdles remain. US-based consultancy NERA has submitted its roadmap to the Spectrum Advisory Committee, but litigation still ties up 154 MHz in the prime 2600 MHz band.

Nevertheless, with the PTA’s latest approval and the MoITT removing Right of Way (RoW) charges to speed up fiberization, the path to a connected future looks clear for now.