The first phase of Pakistan’s inaugural 5G spectrum auction has been completed, where authorities generated $507 million through the sale of multiple spectrum bands, according to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
Among the telecom operators, Zong acquired 110 MHz of spectrum, while Ufone secured 180 MHz. Market leader Jazz purchased 190 MHz in the auction.
Acquired Spectrum by Winning Operators
| Operator | 700 MHz | 2300 MHz | 2600 MHz | 3500 MHz | Total Acquired (MHz) |
| Jazz (PMCL) | 20 MHz | 50 MHz | 70 MHz | 50 MHz | Total: 190 MHz |
| Ufone (PTML) | – | – | 60 MHz | 120 MHz | Total: 180 MHz |
| Zong (CMPak) | – | – | 60 MHz | 50 MHz | Total: 110 MHz |
PTA Chairman Hafeez-ur-Rehman said that a large portion of the available spectrum was successfully sold during the initial stage of the auction.
Out of the 597.2 MHz spectrum offered, approximately 480 MHz has been auctioned so far.
In the 700 MHz band, two out of three lots were sold. Meanwhile, all available lots in the 2300 MHz band were successfully auctioned, the chairman added.
Similarly, all 19 lots in the 2600 MHz band were sold during the bidding process, while 22 out of 28 lots in the 3500 MHz band also found buyers.
The PTA chairman explained that the successful bidding will increase overall spectrum availability in the country by around 1.7 percent, helping improve mobile broadband capacity and paving the way for 5G deployment.
Separately, Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja announced that the government had auctioned 600 MHz of spectrum.
She said the spectrum auction process was conducted live to ensure transparency.
Meanwhile, Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the Prime Minister had directed that the entire auction process be conducted live to ensure transparency.
Speaking to the media, he said that holding the auction online made the process technically challenging, but the successful participation of telecom companies reflected strong confidence of the private sector in the government’s digital agenda.
Tarar said that the development represents a major step toward Pakistan’s digital transformation. The country is moving toward a new phase of digital growth and technological advancement, he added.
Jazz CEO has also said that they will start offering 5g at 180 of their cell sites, starting day after tomorrow. They were the only company that seemed fully prepared when they connected all of their cell sites in a few major cities with fiber. non other telco has done that
Alot of claims. 0 proof
Ufone seemed to have learned their lesson from all of their past mistakes and going big with this auction.
Zong on the other hand acquired highest band in 3500, which means better speeds than other telcos in peak hours but that also means they will need more cell sites
Ufone took most of the 3500 band. They took 120Mhz while Zong & Jazz took 50Mhz each
yes thanks for correcting, just checked again. ufone has acquired the most in 3500Mhz
Long overdue good news for the telco market.
Total has gone from an average 34 MHz spectrum holding per telco to 200+ MHz after this auction.
WY zong parcheed less spectrum zong is not leading 5G WY what is happening with the zong management specialy ufone will well done and also jazz leader
I was wondering about telenor.
Telenor sold out to Ufone