The lack of a 5G network auction until December of this year will cost Pakistan between $2 and $3 billion, according to sources in the Ministry of IT and Telecom.
ProPakistani was informed by insiders that the Ministry of IT and Telecom was prepared for the auction and that all necessary arrangements had been made.
The frequency bands were also freed up for the 5G network, and the Ministry had acquired the necessary equipment. A 5G strategy plan and set of policy directives were also released by the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication last year. In January 2022, the previous administration established a powerful committee to approve the 5G Strategic Plan and manage the release of the next technologies and spectrum auction.
According to sources in the Ministry of IT and Telecom, Pakistan will lose between $2 and $3 billion as a result of the delay in the 5G network auction till December of this year.
Insiders told ProPakistani that the Ministry of IT and Telecom was ready for the auction and had made all necessary preparations.
Additionally, the frequency bands were made available for the 5G network, and the Ministry had purchased the required hardware. The Ministry of IT and Telecommunication also published a 5G strategy plan and a set of policy guidelines last year. The previous administration established a new
The telecom sector claims that the mini-budget of the previous administration imposed taxes on it. Without consulting the sector, the advance income tax was raised from 10% to 15% in the supplementary finance bill. The rollout of 5G is not feasible in the presence of such a high tariff, the telecom sector had advised the government in its recommendations. Even the PTA and the Ministry of IT and Telecom called on the government to lower taxes on the telecom industry.
On August 1, India’s neighbour held a 5G auction that will bring in Rs 1.3 trillion for the government coffers. The rollout of 5G is also being prepared for and tested in Bangladesh and Nepal. The 5G network currently has around 1.2 billion users, and by the end of 2022, 2.5 billion users are anticipated to be utilising it globally.
