Pakistan has taken a major step toward expanding its digital infrastructure with the completion of the second phase of its 5G spectrum auction today (Thursday). The country generated $510 million (around Rs. 142 billion) from the landmark auction of Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS) spectrum, while the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) completed the position assignment stage, allowing telecom operators to finalize the placement of spectrum blocks they secured.
PTA Chairman Hafeez Ur Rehman said that 480 MHz of spectrum was sold during the first day of bidding on March 10, generating $507 million, while today’s position assignment stage added another $3 million. He described the auction as one of the largest globally in terms of volume and emphasized that the government had fulfilled its responsibility, leaving operators to convert the spectrum into better services for consumers.
The position assignment covered the 2600 MHz and 3500 MHz bands, where operators bid for lower, middle, and upper block positions to optimize network performance and minimize interference. No assignment was needed for the 700 MHz band, which was secured solely by Jazz during the auction.
5G Launch and Consumer Access
Shahza Fatima Khawaja, Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, said the auction’s success was made possible by bold decisions from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. She highlighted growing international interest in Pakistan’s 5G plans, noting that several countries inquired about the strategy during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Fatima credited the PTA, the Frequency Allocation Board, and other institutions, including the armed forces, for facilitating the auction.
The minister confirmed that 5G pilot projects will start next week in major cities, with full commercial rollout expected within the next three to four months. She also mentioned that the government is working on a smartphone leasing policy to improve access to devices.
PTA Chairman Hafeez Ur Rehman said the 5G rollout will not increase package prices, and the new spectrum is expected to raise average internet speeds from around 4 Mbps to nearly 20 Mbps. Telecom operators expressed confidence that the new allocations will enhance service quality, expand network capacity, and improve the overall customer experience.
