Pakistan is set to auction more than 200 percent additional telecom spectrum to address the growing demand for high-speed mobile internet across the country. Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja informed the National Assembly that the current allocation of 274 MHz is insufficient to support the rising data consumption and ranks among the lowest in the region. By expanding available spectrum to approximately 600 MHz, the government aims to significantly increase mobile broadband capacity, improve service quality, and prepare the nation’s telecom networks for future technologies.
The additional spectrum will be offered across multiple frequency bands, including 700, 1800, 2100, 2300, 2600, and 3500 MHz. The auction is planned to take place after completing the necessary regulatory and policy procedures. Minister Khawaja highlighted that while Cellular Mobile Operators are required to maintain uniform Quality of Service standards, users often experience slow internet due to peak-hour congestion, limited fiberization, backhaul constraints, power outages, and challenging geography. PTA actively monitors service quality through oversight and complaint-based surveys to ensure operators meet license obligations. The upcoming spectrum release is expected to directly alleviate network congestion, enhance backhaul efficiency, and expand next-generation mobile broadband services, allowing operators to improve Quality of Experience in high-demand and underserved areas.
Beyond the spectrum auction, Pakistan has taken several steps under its Digital Nation vision to strengthen digital infrastructure and enhance service delivery. PTA has introduced higher QoS standards for 3G and 4G services, launched VoWiFi and VoLTE, implemented active infrastructure sharing, and rolled out national roaming along major highways. Plans to expand Fiber to the Site infrastructure are underway to improve network capacity and connectivity. These measures collectively aim to support current broadband requirements and lay the groundwork for 5G deployment, ensuring that Pakistan’s digital ecosystem remains competitive regionally.
Minister Khawaja emphasized that increasing spectrum availability is a critical step for meeting Pakistan’s growing mobile data needs and ensuring more reliable connectivity for both urban and rural users. The government’s efforts to modernize telecom infrastructure, coupled with improved regulatory oversight and strategic resource allocation, are expected to create an enabling environment for operators to offer faster, more stable services. As Pakistan prepares to release this additional spectrum, it signals a broader commitment to enhancing the nation’s digital capacity and equipping the telecom sector for the demands of the next generation of mobile internet users.
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