Thu, September 17, 2026
Islamabad (Web Desk): Pakistan on Tuesday formally kicked off its 5G spectrum auction on Tuesday, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s journey toward enhanced digital connectivity.
The inauguration was attended by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, IT and Telecommunication Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and the chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
Three telecom operators, having met the eligibility criteria, are participating in the bidding process. The PTA has made around 600 megahertz of spectrum available, aiming to pave the way for next-generation mobile services in the country.
The first phase of the auction has concluded, during which 190 MHz of spectrum in the 2600 MHz band was offered.Demand exceeded the available supply, with an extra 110 MHz requested, leading to a five percent increase in pricing for the second phase.
Additionally, in the 3.5 GHz band, roughly 280 MHz was put up for auction, with demand reaching 200 MHz, according to the PTA’s Director General Licensing.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja called the event a historic step that would strengthen Pakistan’s digital economy and enhance nationwide connectivity.
She stressed that fast and reliable internet has become an essential service affecting various sectors, including agriculture, industry, commerce, and national security.
The minister noted that Pakistan first entered the 3G and 4G era under former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif between 2014 and 2016, and that no major spectrum auctions had occurred since, contributing to issues with internet quality.
She said the current auction would not only introduce 5G but also improve the capacity and performance of existing 4G networks.
To accelerate network expansion, the government has eliminated right-of-way charges for telecom infrastructure and plans to launch a national fiberisation initiative to support operators in extending their networks after acquiring spectrum.
Khawaja also recognized the contributions of former IT minister Aminul Haq, government agencies, and the armed forces in preparing spectrum for commercial deployment in the national interest.
The minister highlighted that the auction framework was crafted following consultations with the Spectrum Advisory Committee, Ministry of Finance, PTA, and the Frequency Allocation Board, and received commendation from international telecom organizations during discussions at the Mobile World Congress.
She said improvements in 4G services would be noticeable within four to five months, while 5G would first be rolled out in Islamabad and provincial capitals within five to six months.
Shaza emphasized that these developments reflect Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s “Digital Nation Pakistan” initiative, which aims to foster digitalization, IT export growth, youth technology training, and a cashless economy.
PTA Chairman Hafeez-ur-Rehman described the launch as a landmark moment, calling 5G a “digital highway” and a key driver of Pakistan’s technological future. He thanked the institutions that facilitated the auction, noting that securing spectrum had been the greatest challenge.
The PTA chairman also highlighted that Pakistan has become the first country in Asia to eliminate right-of-way charges, reducing them from Rs36,000 per kilometre to zero. He urged telecom operators to actively engage in the auction to fully capitalize on the opportunities offered by 5G.
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