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.
| 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.