Pakistan raises $507 million in landmark 5G spectrum auction: PTA 

Islamabad (Web Desk): Pakistan successfully generated $507 million from its long-anticipated 5G spectrum auction on Tuesday, selling 480 MHz of spectrum against a planned target of 597 MHz.

The auction concluded after three rounds, with Jazz, Zong, and Ufone securing frequencies to roll out next-generation mobile services.

The results were announced by Hafeez Ur Rehman, accompanied by Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja.

According to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the auction comprised two lots in the 700 MHz band, all five lots in the 2300 MHz band, all 19 lots in the 2600 MHz band, and 22 of the 28 lots in the 3500 MHz band, totaling 480 MHz of spectrum sold.

Jazz acquired the largest share, obtaining 190 MHz, including 50 MHz in the 3500 MHz band, 70 MHz in the 2600 MHz band, 50 MHz in the 2300 MHz band, and 20 MHz in the 700 MHz band. Ufone purchased 180 MHz, with 120 MHz in the 3500 MHz band and 60 MHz in the 2600 MHz band, while Zong secured 110 MHz.

The PTA chairman described the day as a landmark moment for Pakistan, underlining the nation’s progress toward digital transformation and acknowledging the active participation of telecom operators, which helped ensure competitive pricing. He added that in the next phase of the auction, scheduled for the day after tomorrow, operators will be assigned specific lots within each band and will internally decide which frequencies to use in the upper, middle, or lower segments.

Speaking on the occasion, Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja Shaza Fatima Khawaja described the auction as a milestone in Pakistan’s telecommunications history, noting that the entire process was conducted with transparency and that all bids were broadcast live from the PTA’s control room.

She highlighted the Prime Minister’s insistence on a fully transparent process to maintain public confidence and commended the PTA, industry partners, international advisors, and the Ministry of IT for their role in facilitating the auction.

She also recalled that Pakistan first entered the 3G and 4G era between 2014 and 2016 under former premier Nawaz Sharif, establishing the foundation for the current digital advancements.

She emphasized that the newly available 600 MHz spectrum would significantly boost internet speeds and connectivity, with 5G services initially being introduced in Islamabad and provincial capitals, marking Pakistan’s entry into the group of nations offering next-generation mobile networks.

Representatives from the telecom operators praised the government and PTA for a smooth and transparent process. A Zong spokesperson said the company remained committed to Pakistan and to collaborating with the government and industry for a successful 5G rollout.

Ufone’s representative expressed gratitude to the government, PM Shehbaz Sharif, Finance Minister, Federal Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, PTA chairman, and the PTA team, describing the auction as unprecedented in its facilitation of stakeholders and benefits for the industry and consumers.

JazzWorld CEO Aamir Ibrahim praised the transparent and industry-friendly process and highlighted the importance of the 700 MHz spectrum for extending connectivity to rural areas.

He confirmed that 180 Jazz sites would be 5G-ready from the day after tomorrow and stressed the company’s commitment to delivering improved mobile services nationwide, ensuring the benefits of new technology reached all Pakistanis.