Pakistan has successfully completed the first round of its 5G spectrum auction, with telecom operators submitting bids for two of the six frequency bands offered by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority. The auction began earlier in the day following its inauguration by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, and senior PTA officials, marking another step in the country’s efforts to advance digital connectivity. Three qualified telecom companies are participating in the process, which includes a total of around six hundred megahertz of spectrum to support the upcoming rollout of 5G services in major cities.
During the first stage, bidding focused on the 2600 MHz and 3500 MHz bands. The 2600 MHz band, offering one hundred ninety megahertz of spectrum across nineteen lots, attracted bids totaling approximately three hundred megahertz, indicating demand well above the available supply. PTA officials confirmed that a total of thirty bids were received for the 2600 MHz band, resulting in eleven additional bids beyond the lots on offer. Consequently, the base price for the next round has been increased by five percent to reflect the strong interest among operators.
In the 3500 MHz band, a total of two hundred eighty megahertz was made available across twenty-eight lots. Operators submitted bids for twenty lots during the first round, demonstrating a measured but competitive response to the new spectrum allocation. Director General of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority Amir Shehzad noted that the second round of the auction will commence shortly and will run for thirty minutes. He described the strong competition among telecom companies as an encouraging sign of progress toward the launch of 5G services and anticipated further bidding activity in subsequent rounds.
Officials emphasized that the 5G rollout will not only improve mobile internet speeds but also support emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, strengthening digital services including online education, remote work, and enterprise solutions. The successful completion of the first round of bidding underscores Pakistan’s ongoing commitment to developing its digital infrastructure and ensuring that telecommunications operators have the resources needed to provide advanced connectivity across the country.
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