Aamir Ibrahim Explains What Upcoming Spectrum Auction Actually Means for Pakistanis

Pakistan is set to take a major step towards next-generation connectivity as the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announced last Friday that the much-awaited spectrum auction will be held on February 26. Under a new plan approved by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, six spectrum bands with a total capacity of 600 megahertz will be auctioned. This move is expected to significantly enhance data capacity and support the rollout of 5G services across the country.

JazzWorld CEO Aamir Ibrahim on Wednesday said the upcoming spectrum auction presents a rare opportunity to significantly improve internet quality for the public, provided Pakistan prioritises affordable, reliable connectivity over technology labels and elite-centric rollouts.

Speaking at Pakistan’s first Pakistan Policy Dialogue, organised by the Policy Research and Advisory Council (PRAC) in collaboration with the Corporate Pakistan Group (CPG), Aamir stressed that the public’s primary need is not 5G branding but better internet that is affordable, reliable and available everywhere.

The dialogue, held under the theme “Correcting Course: Pakistan’s Economic Reset”, brought together federal ministers, senior economists, regulators, corporate leaders and development sector representatives.

Aamir participated in a panel discussion titled “Bridging the Digital Divide”, alongside PTCL Chairman Zarrar Hasham Khan and S&P Global Pakistan Managing Director Mujeeb Zahur. The session was moderated by Systems Limited’s Global Chief Growth Officer Saquib Ahmad.

Explaining the significance of the spectrum auction, Aamir described Pakistan as a spectrum-constrained country. He said the country currently has only 274 megahertz of spectrum available nationwide, far below international benchmarks and roughly one-fourth of what countries like Japan have on a per-capita basis. “You cannot deliver better internet if you don’t widen the highway,” he said, noting that no amount of investment can overcome the physical limits created by spectrum shortages.

He said the upcoming auction, expected to release around 600 megahertz of additional spectrum, represents a “once-in-a-decade opportunity” to strengthen Pakistan’s digital infrastructure. According to Aamir, the government’s approach this time is more mature and forward-looking, as reflected in the recently issued information memorandum. Rather than focusing on maximising upfront revenues, the government is adopting a long-term view by recognising the broader economic benefits of stronger digital infrastructure, he said.

Aamir explained that the implications of the auction differ for the three key stakeholders: the public, telecom operators and the government. For consumers, the real benefit lies in faster, more reliable and more affordable internet, particularly through improved 4G services and a gradual, inclusive transition to 5G. “Whether a phone shows a 4G or 5G icon does not matter to the customer,” he said. “What matters is that the internet works.”

For operators, he said, the critical issue is business viability. With less than 2 percent of mobile users currently owning 5G-enabled handsets, large-scale 5G deployment at this stage risks creating networks that serve only a small, elite segment. He warned against repeating past mistakes that widened the digital divide, noting that 5G handsets currently cost upwards of Rs100,000, putting them out of reach for most Pakistanis.

To address this gap, Aamir advocated handset financing models that allow consumers to pay for devices in instalments over 24 months, a practice common globally but largely absent in Pakistan. He also welcomed the growth of local handset assembly, saying increased domestic manufacturing could lower prices, meet local demand and eventually support exports.

For the government, Aamir said the auction offers a chance to lay the foundation for a digitally enabled economy. He emphasised that connectivity is no longer just a telecom issue but a cross-sector enabler, comparable to electricity, underpinning sectors such as education, health, agriculture and finance.

He linked improved connectivity to broader digital inclusion goals, arguing that smartphones and broadband can help bridge longstanding gaps in education and opportunity. “A broadband connection in every home, a smartphone in every hand and a QR code in every shop is what Digital Pakistan should aspire to,” he said.

While acknowledging progress over the past decade, Aamir said Pakistan must now use the spectrum auction to build capacity for the future. With minor policy refinements, he said, the country could dramatically improve 4G performance and accelerate the adoption of 5G over the next few years.

“If done right,” he said, “this auction can transform connectivity for people, enable sustainable investment for operators and unlock long-term economic value for the country.”