The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is all set to hold the long-awaited Pakistan 5G spectrum auction on March 10, 2026. In a major move to accelerate digital transformation, the regulator has unveiled an extensive policy package, including strict quality-of-service (QoS) benchmarks and a phased rollout roadmap.
During a media briefing, PTA Chairman Hafeez ur Rehman stated that improved connectivity is critical for achieving “Digital Pakistan” and cashless economy objectives. Consequently, the government has aligned regulatory reforms to facilitate these next-generation services.
Pakistan 5G Auction Mechanics & Spectrum Bands
PTA Director General Licensing Aamir Shahzad confirmed the auction will follow a multi-round electronic clock format. The main allocation stage commences on March 10.
The regulator has made approximately 597 MHz of spectrum available. The first round will include mandatory bidding in the 2600 MHz and 3500 MHz bands. If demand in any category exceeds supply, prices will increase in successive rounds.
Operators must move quickly. Applications, accompanied by a $15 million bank guarantee, must be submitted by February 27. Qualified bidders will participate in mock auctions before the main event. The PTA expects at least three operators to participate and will consider the auction successful if more than 50% of the offered spectrum is sold.
Flexible Payment Terms & Incentives
To encourage participation, the government has introduced significant financial flexibility. The US dollar-to-PKR exchange rate for payment calculations will be fixed on the auction date.
Winners have two payment options:
- Pay 100% upfront.
- Pay 50% upfront, with the remaining amount paid in five equal annual instalments at KIBOR plus 3%. Operators will also get a one-year moratorium.
Further incentives include duty-free import of 5G equipment to speed up network deployment and tax rationalisation to enable affordable 5G smartphone upgrades. Right-of-way charges for fibre deployment have been slashed from Rs 36,000 to zero to fast-track tower fibreisation.
Pakistan 5G Auction Rollout Roadmap & New QoS Benchmarks
Commercial launch is targeted for 3 to 6 months after license issuance, starting with federal and provincial capitals before a phased nationwide expansion.
The framework sets aggressive QoS targets through 2035:
- 5G Speeds: Minimum download speeds must start at 50 Mbps and increase to 100 Mbps by 2030-35. Latency targets will eventually reduce to 35 milliseconds.
- 4G Enhancements: Existing 4G download speeds must rise from 20 Mbps to 50 Mbps, with web page loading times improving from five seconds to three seconds.
- Uploads: Across both technologies, upload speeds are benchmarked at 20% of download speeds.
Operators are required to install 1,000 new sites annually, with at least 200 sites dedicated to underserved areas. Fibre-to-the-site (FTTS) ratios must increase from 20% to 35% by 2035.
Power & Infrastructure Support
To mitigate network downtime caused by power outages, a joint task force comprising the MoIT, Power Division, NEPRA, and telecom operators will examine industrial power tariffs and smart grid solutions.
The ecosystem is already preparing. Operators have placed orders for 5G equipment, and local manufacturers have produced between 500,000 and 600,000 5G-enabled handsets so far.
Although officials termed the auction delayed, they emphasised it is necessary to lay the foundation for future technologies, including 6G, and support sustainable digital economic growth.
