PTA Seeks Budget for 3G Auction Process

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority is with empty hands, or say with no approved budget for marketing and procurement of 3G licenses auction, told us sources at the regulator’s headquarters.

Sources told ProPakistani that PTA is planning to massively advertise the 3G spectrum auction in leading newspapers/magazines of the world, including Wall Street Journal, Telegraph, The National of UAE and other regional and global newspapers.

However, 2012-13 budget didn’t include 3G auction expenditures – we have confirmed with sources – which were earlier included in 2011-12, but were consumed (or were wasted) without any outcome.

Chairman PTA is trying to get the funds allocated at earliest.

It maybe recalled that PTA had previously advertised 3G spectrum auction by publishing information memorandum and to fetch operators to participate in auction. However, the whole process was jeopardized due to criticism from opposition for not hiring consultant to supervise the auction process.