Federal Govt to Finalize Decisions for 5G Auction This Week

The federal government is preparing to convene a key meeting of the Auction Advisory Committee to finalize decisions regarding the upcoming auction of the 5G spectrum in Pakistan.

Sources told ProPakistani the meeting is expected to take place later this week or early next week after the return of Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb. The meeting will set the course for the country’s first 5G spectrum auction, which the government plans to conduct in February or March next year.

Sources said that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s (PTA) consultant on 5G will present a comprehensive report to the committee outlining the roadmap for the auction and subsequent rollout of the next-generation mobile technology.

The report will form the foundation of Pakistan’s 5G strategy, covering both technical and policy dimensions to ensure a transparent and competitive bidding process.

The consultant’s presentation is expected to include a detailed Market Readiness Assessment, Spectrum Valuation and Pricing Strategy, Spectrum Band Allocation Plan, Rollout Obligations and Coverage Targets, and Policy and Regulatory Recommendations.

These elements will provide the technical, economic, and legal framework necessary for the government to make informed decisions on how to structure and execute the 5G spectrum auction efficiently and sustainably.

The government had initially planned to hold the 5G auction by the end of this year; however, several hurdles delayed the process. Among the key challenges are the ongoing court cases involving spectrum allocations and the pending merger of Ufone and Telenor, which is currently under review by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority following clearance by the Competition Commission.

The authorities expect a final decision on the merger in the coming weeks, which will help clear one of the major obstacles to the auction.

Experts highlight that Pakistan’s 5G rollout faces multiple structural and economic challenges. These include operator reluctance amid economic instability, high taxation and spectrum pricing, pending litigation on 146 MHz of spectrum, infrastructure gaps, and limited affordability of 5G-enabled devices.

Industry stakeholders have urged the government to adopt a rational pricing model and consider deferred payment options to encourage investment and ensure the successful launch of 5G services in the country.