Pakistan successfully completed its 5G spectrum auction in Islamabad on Tuesday, selling 480 megahertz of spectrum for $507 million after three rounds of competitive bidding.
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The auction saw strong competition among major telecom operators, including Zong, Jazz and Ufone, particularly for the crucial 2600MHz frequency band required for 5G services.
During the bidding, Jazz secured 190MHz, Ufone acquired 180MHz and Zong obtained 110MHz in the 2600MHz band.
The government offered multiple spectrum bands in the auction, including 700MHz, 1800MHz, 2100MHz, 2300MHz, 2600MHz and 3500MHz, with varying base prices per lot. The auction process was overseen by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
The bidding ceremony was held in the presence of Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Information Minister Attaullah Tarrar, former IT minister Syed Aminul Haque and members of the National Assembly’s IT and Telecom committee.
Initially, the PTA offered 190MHz in 10MHz lots for the 2600MHz band. However, due to strong demand from bidders requesting 30 lots, the regulator released 11 additional lots totalling 110MHz for auction and raised the base price by five percent.
For the 3500MHz band — another key frequency for 5G — the PTA offered 28 lots of 10MHz each, though telecom companies bid for only 20 of those lots.
Speaking at the event, Finance Minister Aurangzeb described digital infrastructure as a crucial enabler for economic growth. He emphasised that digital transformation would support emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain and Web 3.0.
Aurangzeb also said improved connectivity would support remote work, online education and digital services, especially during economic challenges such as the ongoing global energy crisis.
Meanwhile, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja described the auction as one of the most significant milestones in Pakistan’s digital development.
She noted that Pakistan entered the 3G and 4G era during the tenure of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, but no major spectrum auctions had taken place since then, contributing to connectivity challenges.
According to the minister, Pakistan currently has about 274MHz of spectrum available, significantly lower than neighbouring Bangladesh, which has around 600MHz despite having a smaller population.
She said the new auction would effectively double Pakistan’s spectrum capacity and improve connectivity nationwide.
Citizens are expected to notice improvements in 4G services within four to five months, while the government aims to introduce 5G services in five major cities within five to six months.
The government is also working on additional digital initiatives, including satellite-based internet for remote areas, new international internet cable connections and expansion of fibre networks across the country.
Officials believe the expansion of digital infrastructure will support economic growth and help position Pakistan as a regional internet transit hub.
