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Pakistan’s government has signaled a delay in the much-anticipated 5G spectrum auction, which could now take place in the first quarter of 2026. Officials informed the National Assembly on Thursday that the process would only move forward once all key spectrum bands are fully available. Currently, 140 MHz of the 2600 MHz band, out of 194 MHz total, is still under litigation.
The policy directive needed to conduct the auction has not yet been issued. Once released, it will take roughly three to four months to finalize and award the licenses, placing the likely timeline between late 2025 and early 2026.
Government Prepares for Broader Spectrum Release
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The government has begun groundwork for releasing additional spectrum ahead of the 5G auction.
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On November 6, 2023, an Advisory Committee was established, chaired by the Finance Minister, to supervise the auction process.
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The Frequency Allocation Board (FAB) has identified new frequency bands and released 606 MHz of additional spectrum in the 700, 1800, 2100, 2300, 2600, and 3500 MHz ranges, more than 200% of the current available spectrum.
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The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has engaged NERA, a U.S.-based consultancy firm, to assist with the auction strategy.
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NERA’s role includes:
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Developing a comprehensive 5G spectrum strategy for Pakistan.
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Conducting spectrum valuation and attracting foreign investment.
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Designing an investment-friendly auction model to drive economic growth and telecom sector development.
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Once completed, NERA will submit its recommendations to the Advisory Committee for approval of policy directions, auction design, 5G rollout plan, and coverage targets.
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The spectrum auction will be conducted once the policy directive is officially issued by the government.
The government expects the upcoming auction to significantly improve Pakistan’s mobile broadband infrastructure. With more spectrum available, telecom operators will be able to expand high-speed networks, reduce latency, and deliver better connectivity experiences to users nationwide.
