Pakistan is set to conduct its largest spectrum auction to date, with regulators planning to offer 600 megahertz of spectrum, a scale far exceeding previous telecom sales over the last decade.
Briefing the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology, Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Hafeez-ur-Rehman said that only 69 MHz spectrum had been auctioned through four separate auctions during the past 12 years, highlighting the unprecedented size of the upcoming 5G sale.
Officials disclosed that at least 300 MHz spectrum would be auctioned, while more than half of the total available spectrum is expected to be sold. Each telecom operator will be required to purchase a minimum of 100 MHz, ensuring serious participation and meaningful network deployment.
The PTA said the auction would not only enable 5G services but also significantly enhance existing 4G performance, with expected download speeds reaching up to 20 Mbps. In the initial phase, 5G services will be launched in Islamabad and provincial capitals before expanding nationwide.
Lawmakers termed the scale of the auction a turning point for Pakistan’s digital infrastructure, stressing that the economic and social benefits of advanced connectivity must reach ordinary consumers.