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Pakistan is preparing to expand its mobile internet capacity as the federal government plans to auction over 200 percent more telecom spectrum. The move aims to meet rising demand for high-speed mobile data and improve broadband quality nationwide.
Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja told the National Assembly that the current allocation of 274 MHz is insufficient for Pakistan’s growing data needs and remains one of the lowest in the region.
“These initiatives aim to expand network coverage, improve service quality, and lay the foundation for future technologies, including 5G,” she said.
To address this gap, the government has begun the process of releasing around 600 MHz of additional spectrum for Cellular Mobile Operators. The spectrum will span multiple frequency bands, including 700, 1800, 2100, 2300, 2600, and 3500 MHz. The auction, which exceeds the existing allocation by more than 200 percent, will take place once all regulatory and policy steps are completed.
Shaza Fatima Khawaja also addressed concerns about slow internet speeds, explaining that issues often result from peak-hour congestion, limited fiberization, backhaul constraints, power outages, and geographical challenges. She emphasized that cellular mobile operators are still required to maintain uniform quality of service standards.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority continuously monitors service quality through regulatory oversight and complaint-based surveys. The upcoming spectrum auction is expected to reduce network congestion, improve backhaul efficiency, and support the rollout of next-generation mobile broadband services. Increased spectrum availability will enhance the overall quality of experience, especially in high-demand or underserved regions.
Under the Digital Nation vision, the government is taking key steps to strengthen Pakistan’s digital infrastructure. These efforts include updated QoS standards for 3G and 4G networks, the launch of VoWiFi and VoLTE, active infrastructure sharing, national roaming along major highways, and plans to expand Fiber to the Site infrastructure.
