The Frequency Allocation Board has advanced preparations for Pakistan’s next-generation mobile services auction by securing a range of critical spectrum bands for commercial use. With extensive coordination between FAB and defense authorities, valuable frequencies in the 700 MHz band and the 2300 MHz band have been released. In addition, 285 MHz in the 3500 MHz mid-band, widely recognized as the global sweet spot for 5G deployments, has been made available through re-farming of wireless local loop services. These developments mark a substantial step in creating a foundation for Pakistan’s transition to high-speed connectivity and advanced telecom services.
Efforts to prepare spectrum for the auction have also included nationwide monitoring surveys carried out by FAB to ensure quality and prevent interference. Unauthorized usage was detected across several locations, leading to the closure of dozens of illegal links by PTA. FAB has also conducted cross-border surveys and engaged with neighboring countries including India, Afghanistan, Iran, Oman, and the UAE. These discussions are designed to address frequency spillover, reduce interference, and harmonize spectrum use, thereby ensuring a smoother rollout of next-generation mobile services.
Details presented to Parliament by MoITT, FAB, and PTA highlighted that during its 50th meeting, the Board approved the availability of multiple frequency bands for the upcoming auction. These include 700 MHz (2×15 MHz), 1800 MHz (2×3.6 MHz), 2100 MHz (2×20 MHz), 2300 MHz (50 MHz), 2600 MHz (194 MHz), 3500 MHz (285 MHz), 24 GHz (3.082 GHz), and 39 GHz (4 GHz). Altogether, 606 MHz of spectrum has been secured for auction, although 161.6 MHz remains under litigation. The largest portion under dispute is 140 MHz in the 2600 MHz band, a prime allocation for both 4G and 5G worldwide. Ongoing cases also involve portions of the 2100 MHz and 1800 MHz bands, creating uncertainty for operators seeking clarity before participation in the auction.
The written reply to Parliament further underscored that the Advisory Committee on the spectrum auction is currently reviewing two major challenges that could impact the timeline. These include the pending merger of PTCL and Telenor Pakistan as well as the unresolved disputes over the 2600 MHz band. The committee has advised expedited resolution of these matters in the broader national interest to ensure that the country does not face further delays in adopting next-generation mobile technologies. While technical and regulatory efforts continue, the success of the auction and subsequent 5G rollout will depend on both legal clarity and industry readiness to invest in the newly freed frequencies.
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