Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunications Shaza Fatima Khawaja has announced that Pakistan will auction the 600 megahertz spectrum next month, a move aimed at improving mobile internet speeds and enabling the rollout of 5G services in the country. Speaking to the media in Islamabad, the minister highlighted that the decision follows approval from the Economic Coordination Committee, which endorsed the auction process within a two-month timeframe during a meeting held last week. The minister noted that the government is working to ensure the auction is completed by the end of January or early February, reflecting an effort to address long-standing constraints in Pakistan’s telecom infrastructure.
The minister underscored that Pakistan currently faces severe spectrum limitations, describing the country as spectrum-starved. She stated that telecom operators are providing services using only 274 MHz of spectrum for a population of around 240 million people. By comparison, she pointed out that Bangladesh, with roughly two-thirds of Pakistan’s population, has access to around 600 MHz of spectrum. According to her remarks, the limited availability has constrained service quality and network expansion for many years, largely due to the absence of major spectrum auctions. She maintained that the upcoming auction would directly improve 3G and 4G performance while also laying the foundation for the introduction of 5G services in Pakistan for the first time.
Explaining the broader significance, the federal minister emphasised that internet connectivity should be treated as critical infrastructure, comparable to roads in earlier development phases. She stressed that reliable and widespread connectivity is essential for social sector development, large-scale economic policies, and national and personal security. Without sufficient spectrum and improved connectivity levels, she said, the country cannot effectively progress. The minister also highlighted that enhanced internet access serves as an enabling tool that can unlock economic potential and generate employment opportunities, particularly in technology-driven sectors. She added that improved spectrum allocation will support innovation, digital services and broader participation in the digital economy.
The minister further noted that Pakistan lags behind several regional countries in 5G deployment. In South Asia, nations including Bangladesh, India, Bhutan, the Maldives and Sri Lanka have already launched nationwide 5G networks, while Pakistan remains among those yet to introduce the technology. She attributed this delay largely to limited spectrum availability and regulatory challenges. In November, the consultant appointed for the 5G spectrum auction submitted its report to the government after delays caused by the merger of PTCL and Telenor and litigation related to the 2600 MHz band. The report, prepared by US-based consultancy firm National Economic Research Associates, outlined that Pakistan plans to offer 606 MHz of new spectrum across six major bands, including 700 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2600 MHz and 3500 MHz. Among these, the 2600 MHz band was identified as particularly suitable for 5G services.
She also linked the spectrum auction to the government’s wider digitisation agenda, stating that internet connectivity is central to initiatives under the Digital Nation Pakistan Act, 2025. The introduction of additional spectrum bands, some being offered for the first time, is expected to enhance service quality across existing mobile technologies while enabling next-generation networks. The minister reiterated that expanding spectrum availability is a necessary step to modernise Pakistan’s telecom sector, improve user experience and support long-term digital growth aligned with national policy objectives.
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