Pakistan’s long-awaited 5G spectrum auction has faced another delay after the Spectrum Advisory Committee (SAC) was unable to meet its previously set deadline for December. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has now directed authorities to conduct the auction in the first quarter of next year, establishing a new timeline for finalizing the process. The decision comes as the government seeks to ensure that technical and regulatory preparations are fully aligned with the objectives of nationwide 5G deployment and digital infrastructure development.
The delay was confirmed during a closed-door meeting of SAC on Friday, where the US-based consultancy firm National Economic Research Associates Inc. (NERA) presented its final recommendations on the auction framework. The session, chaired by Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, included only core committee members, with all supporting staff asked to leave. Key participants included Federal Ministers for IT and Telecom, Science and Technology, and Industries and Production, as well as secretaries from major divisions, PTA chairman, Frequency Allocation Board (FAB) executive director, and representatives from GHQ and ISI.
During the meeting, FAB reported that it has identified 606 MHz of new spectrum across six bands: 700, 1800, 2100, 2300, 2600, and 3500 MHz. This represents a more than 200 percent increase compared to Pakistan’s current spectrum holdings. Officials highlighted that the expanded allocation would significantly enhance the country’s 5G rollout and strengthen its broader digital transformation agenda, enabling improved connectivity, faster internet speeds, and expanded network coverage nationwide. NERA’s report detailed recommendations covering auction design, methodology, base prices, duration, and other operational terms, providing the regulatory roadmap for the upcoming auction.
SAC will now engage in further internal consultations before submitting the finalized plan to the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) and subsequently to the federal cabinet for approval. Only after these approvals will the official auction date be formally announced. Government officials have emphasized that the delay is procedural and aimed at ensuring a transparent, efficient, and fair auction process. Once conducted, the 5G auction is expected to unlock investment opportunities, accelerate digital services, and enhance Pakistan’s position in the global telecommunications sector.
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