PTA Issues Final 5G Auction Document As Pakistan Moves Closer to Spectrum Auction

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has issued the final Information Memorandum for Pakistan’s 5G spectrum auction, keeping key policy terms unchanged as the country moves toward the March 10, 2026, auction date.

According to officials, the regulator incorporated feedback from telecom operators and input from consultants during the consultation process, but maintained core elements such as quality of service standards, rollout obligations, base pricing, and payment terms without major revisions. Only limited technical adjustments were made to remove ambiguities.

The final document follows the conclusion of consultations on February 6, with PTA taking around one week to review queries and update responses before releasing the finalized framework. Earlier, the initial Information Memorandum was published on January 9, marking the start of the consultation phase.

Under the auction plan, a total of approximately 597.2 MHz of spectrum will be offered across low, mid, and high frequency bands. These include paired spectrum in 700 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 2100 MHz, along with unpaired bands in 2300 MHz, 2600 MHz, and 3500 MHz to support nationwide 5G deployment.

The application deadline, including submission of the pre-bid deposit, is set for February 27 at 4:00 pm PST. The list of applicants will be announced on the same day, while qualified bidders will be revealed on March 3. An information session for prospective participants is scheduled for February 16.

The auction process will begin with the allocation stage on March 10, followed by assignment and provisional results. Commercial rollout of 5G services is expected within six to seven months after license issuance, subject to regulatory approvals and network readiness.