3G/4G Auction in AJK & GB Delayed as PTA Becomes Dysfunctional

The process for Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS) 3G/4G spectrum in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K) and Gilgit Baltistan (GB) has come to a halt as Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has become dysfunctional till the appointment of a new Chairman and Member Finance.

Official sources revealed that there are little or no chances of 3G/4G auction in the near future.

The AJ&K and GB Council approved policy directives for 3G/4G in AJ&K and GB on August 17, 2017. After the approval of AJ&K/GB Council, the policy directive was issued to the PTA for the NGMS spectrum auction.

For the calculation of base price and design of auction process for 3G/4G spectrum in AJK & GB, PTA decided to hire a consulting firm and sought expression of interest (EoI) by September 15, 2017, which was later delayed to September 29.

However, later on PTA again sought EoI from interested consultants by October 19, 2017 and hence the auction process was delayed twice.

PTA had short-listed two consulting firms after technical evaluation for the calculation of base price and design of auction process for NGMS 3G/4G spectrum in AJ&K and GB in October 2017.

The short-listed applicants, after technical evaluation, were APPNEX Pvt Limited and OPTIWAVE Technologies Private Limited. The above short-listed applicants will go into financial evaluation stage and the consultancy will be awarded based on the evaluation criteria as mentioned in the Request for Proposal (RFP).

However, about two months have passed, but PTA is yet to hire a consultant for the job.

The consultant will be required to calculate the base price and design a transparent and competitive auction process for NGMS 3G/4G in AJK & GB. As finalized by the PTA & the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication in collaboration with the Frequency Allocation Board, the following frequency blocks for provision of NGMS spectrum auction in AJ&KlGB are suggested:-

For Auction:

  • Three blocks of 10 MHz each in 2100 MHz (Block A)
    1. 1920-1930/2110-2120 MHz — Block A
    2. 1930-1940/2120-2130 MHz — Block B
    3. 1940- 1950/2130-2140 MHz — Block C
  • One block of 10MHz in 1800 MHz band
    1.  1775-1785/1870-1880 MHZ

Earmarked for SCO:

  • One block of 10MHz in 2100 MHz band 950-1960/2140-2150 MHz
  • One block of 10MHz in 1800 MHz band 1759.1-1769.1/1854.1-1864.1 MHz.

Only those operators who participate in the auction of 2100 MHz band can bid for 10MHz in 800 MHz band.


  • GB is wholely and solely belongs to Pakistan, unlike AJK which is kind of a deputed territory, GB should’ve long ago received the 3G/4G facility.

      • You can’t just claim that its not part of the disputed territory. Even our Constitution still doesn’t give powers to it’s people and only started providing limited powers from 2009.

        • Yes but this area is under direct federal administration so govt should facilitate them with the rest. Providing 3g/4g doesn’t mean government is changing their status.
          Aj&k is a separate entity, they have their own president and PM. Federal govt only provides annual budget and do some developmental projects, rest is up to them.


  • Get Alerts

    Follow ProPakistani to get latest news and updates.


    ProPakistani Community

    Join the groups below to get latest news and updates.



    >