Telecom Users Could Get a Special Eid Gift as Pakistan Rolls Out 5G

Telecom users across the country are set to receive good news ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr as the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is expected to issue 5G licenses to telecom companies during the current week.

Officials said the move could allow companies to begin preparations for the launch of next-generation mobile services in major cities.

According to sources, licenses will be issued simultaneously to all three telecom companies that were successful in the spectrum auction. The licenses will be granted after the companies submit the required bank guarantees under the terms of the license. Each company is required to deposit a bank guarantee of $15 million to fulfill the regulatory conditions.

One telecom company has already submitted its bank guarantee, while the remaining two companies are expected to complete the process within the next couple of days. After receiving the guarantees, PTA will formally issue the licenses and sign agreements with all three operators.

Officials said a formal license signing ceremony is likely to be held in Islamabad later this week, where senior government officials are expected to attend. Sources added that telecom companies have already purchased 5G equipment in advance and are ready to start services soon after receiving the licenses.

The companies plan to initially launch 5G services in selected areas of major cities and gradually expand coverage in phases. Under the license conditions, operators will also be required to improve 4G services, install around 1,000 new sites each, and set up at least 200 additional sites in remote and low coverage areas.

The government is expected to receive about $510 million in revenue from the 5G spectrum auction completed on March 10 and 12, in which 480 MHz out of 597 MHz spectrum was sold.