The government is planning to complete the much-awaited 5G spectrum auction in the country by April 2025, well-placed sources revealed to ProPakistani.
As many as eleven international consultants/JVs/firms have submitted expressions of interest (EOIs) for providing services to the Government of Pakistan in the 5G spectrum auction/release of IMT Spectrum for improvement of Next Generation Mobile Broadband Services in the country.
Among the international consultant firms/JVS who submitted EOIs included Aetha Consulting Ltd & Specure GmbH, Coleago Consulting Limited, Communicators Globe (Pvt.) Ltd and Cenerva Ltd, Detecon Consulting FZ-LLC, VTT Global and NE&S, Frontier Economics Ltd, Warm Waters Advisory & Analysis Mason Limited, SAYBi Ltd & Cognitio, National Economic Research Associates Inc. (NERA) with its subcontractors Windsor Place Consulting and Optimal Auctions, Joint Venture / Consortium of Copenhagen Economics, Omnitele, KomKonsult Private Limited, Innovative Auctions and Macmillan Keck Attorneys & Solicitors, Intercai Mondiale Ltd & TEACH.
The eleven companies also included a JHK Construction company which according to sources submitted EOI by mistake as it is a construction company.
In response to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA)’s advertisement published in national and international media and on the PPRA website, a total of 11 EOIs were received from various reputed consulting firms through EPADS. PTA will shortlist the firms and accordingly RFP will be issued to the shortlisted consultants.
The expression of interest (EOI) for the consultancy on the release of the IMT (International Mobile Telecommunications spectrum) spectrum to enhance Next Generation Mobile Broadband Services in Pakistan 2024 was opened at PTA HQs on 15th July 2024 through EPADS.
The selected consultant will carry out stakeholder consultation and provide professional analysis and advice to the government of Pakistan for 5G / IMT auction process and successful completion of the auction in a transparent manner, averting collusion and ensuring competition in the auction process.
The government has formally kicked start the process of the 5G spectrum auction in the country by initiating the process of hiring an international consultant for the release of IMT Spectrum for the improvement of Next Generation Mobile Broadband Services in the country.
The terms of reference (ToRs) for the consultancy firms are to devise a strategy to maximize the release of IMT Spectrum for proliferation of technology-neutral Next Generation Mobile Broadband Services with due consideration to international best practices suited for Pakistan’s economy, society, and telecommunications market.
Further, the ToRs included 5G launch/implementation modeling in the light of international and regional best practices particularly in terms of prospective use cases for Pakistan and viable best practices for monetization models and investment-oriented spectrum auction design to provide an opportunity for both existing operators and prospective new entrants to acquire maximum IMT spectrum to support improved ICT infrastructure and broadband services in Pakistan.
This consultancy will focus on regulatory consistency for the investors, facilitate mobile broadband proliferation, and future sustainability of the telecommunication sector with an emphasis on socio-economic development and benefit of the country. Valuation of spectrum for available bands with the future projections, targeting to achieve overall economic growth and incentivize foreign investment, considering the impact of past auctions, renewals international best practices, and other relevant factors.
The consultant will advise on needed policy actions and reforms for increased infrastructure investment, broadband proliferation, and business/sector sustainability and growth.
The consultant will compare Pakistan’s existing cellular/IMT spectrum assignments with regional practices and accordingly highlight gap and suggest phase-wise auction of paired spectrum in 700 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz bands and unpaired spectrum in 2300 MHz, 2600 MHz, 3500 MHz bands.
They will make per MHz spectrum price determination for spectrum bands mentioned above in USD and PKR with future projections of the next 3 years using both demand and supply side models, along with innovative payment options like flexible/dynamic installment plans, scenario-based various options for per MHz price vis-à-vis payment terms, rollout obligations, etc.
The consultant will suggest recommendations based on international standards to limit human exposure to electromagnetic fields and mitigation techniques related to health hazards specifically in denser 5G networks.
Further, the consultant will present a report on the valuation of spectrum including base price in USD and PKR for paired spectrum in 700 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz bands and unpaired spectrum in 2300 MHz, 2600 MHz, 3500 MHz bands with future projections for the next 3x years.