3G/4G Auction: 850MHz Spectrum Might Carry Co-Channel Interference

Government may not be able to offer clean (clear from interference) spectrum in the 850 MHz range that it is planning to auction next month in the upcoming Next Generation Mobile Services auction.

Cellular operators will have to face interference issues in the 850 MHz range as some degree of co-channel interference along borders with neighboring countries will persist, documents available with ProPakistani revealed.

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on May 23 arranged an information session for prospective bidders to explain the auction process, rules and other details. The meeting was attended by Mobilink, Telenor, World Call and Multi Net.

Stakeholders presented and raised a number of questions with respect to upcoming spectrum auction.

The Auction committee of PTA after preparing the responses to proposals/demands of telecom operators on Information Memorandum (IM) and license template and shared with all stakeholders.

Telecom stakeholders had raised questions with respect to 850 MHz / 900 MHz coexistence and stated that Pakistan has had a mixed band plan for a long time. They said that co-existence between 850 MHz and 900 MHz networks typically requires transmit filters on the 850 MHz base stations and receive filters on at least some 900 MHz base stations.

They further stated that 900 MHz operators may have benefited from the absence of a 850 MHz operator and omitted external receive filters on their base stations. However, with the auction of 850MHz band, the situation will change as operators may need to install receive filters (for their 900MHz bands) in order to coexist with the 850 MHz network in future.

In cases where interference is discovered, Frequency Allocation Board will ensure that the situation is addressed and that the sources of interference are removed.

In the unlikely case that FAB is unable to remove interference from a significant part of city or a region, the 850 MHz operator can expect that the same principles will apply to it as we saw in the past when Zong had faced issues for the spectrum it had bought.

In such cases, 850 MHz operator may be offered compensatory spectrum in the city or region where significant and persistent interference cannot be removed.

“The 850 MHz must, however, expect some degree of co-channel interference along borders with neighboring countries”, confirmed the Auction Committee.

It won’t be out of place to mention that PTA is planning to auction a block in 850MHz spectrum at a base price of $395 million.


  • Mery khyaal say govt ko chahiy k 1800 or 2100 mein jo spectrum remaining ha uska license sale krein , yar is 850 waly chakr mein parrna he nhi chahiy tha govt ko , jo company license ly ge wo all equipment 850 k hisaab say lagay ge jab k 1800 or 2100 mein sirf frequency tez kr k companies benefit lein ge , no new tower no new equipment !

    • 850 is needed for coverage and 850/900 have higher indoor penetration. Interference between countries can be dealt with some optimization techniques. So operators should definitely consider to buy low band. We have 850/700 in Canada and now looking for 600MHz auction. 3gpp have defined many high/low band CA combos. It’s worth it…

  • tell me about another possible merger which is hinted by zong ceo.and now discussion is moving from mobilink warid to zong and possibly ufone merger,

    • Merger k to chance nhi hein China Mobile Ufone purchase kr ly ge is k chance hein !

      • Simply Just Mobilink aur Zong ka raaj rahe ga future me Country me.
        Russia Vs China

      • ya could be but arabs of uae haven’t invested that much in ptcl and they are sucking money.

  • Aamir Bhai Zong ke spectrum myn jo masla tha uska kya hal nikala pta aur fab ne?

  • LOLz.. I know all the BTS/BSC/MSC are installed without following the GSM/3G standards. If other frequency is broadcasted then it will definitely create interference. So need to plan again for the instalaltion of BTS’s.. :D

  • i am sure cellular operators are using this interference issue to buy cheap from the govt. They shouldn’t be selling this so cheap. They should follow what India is doing.Interference is always there in wireless and it can be reduced with optimization. Sectors pointing to other countries, you down tilt your sector, reduce sector power or use middle spectrum in those sectors which are pointing to other countries. I am sure these operators are using these tricks to block the auction or buy cheap. Our govt doesn’t know these things.

  • hello brother ye auction ho gee bhee k nahee? lagta nahee ye Hakoomat to hachkoole kha rahee he


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