Pakistan has successfully completed the second round of its 5G spectrum auction, with additional demand recorded in the 2600 MHz frequency band, leading to a five percent increase in its base price. Officials reported that one telecom operator switched two lots in the 2600 MHz band during the bidding process, while seven additional bids were submitted, indicating strong competition among the participating companies. In the 700 MHz band, bids were received for two lots, further demonstrating operator interest in acquiring spectrum to support the upcoming rollout of 5G services.
The auction began earlier in the day following its formal inauguration by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, alongside senior officials from Pakistan Telecommunication Authority. PTA has offered a total of around six hundred megahertz of spectrum for bidding, divided across six frequency bands, with three telecom operators participating in the process. The competitive nature of the second round reflects the growing demand for high-capacity spectrum to facilitate faster connectivity and enable the deployment of advanced mobile services.
Officials indicated that due to the heightened demand in the 2600 MHz band, the auction for this spectrum will continue into the next round. The increase in the base price is intended to ensure fair market value while encouraging efficient allocation among operators. Authorities noted that the process is structured in multiple stages to allow for active competition and to provide transparency in the allocation of spectrum resources across different frequency bands.
The ongoing auction is a critical step toward Pakistan’s transition into the 5G era, with faster mobile networks expected to support technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, enhance digital services, and improve connectivity for education, remote work, and enterprise solutions. Observers have highlighted that the auction demonstrates the government’s commitment to strengthening the country’s digital infrastructure while providing telecom operators with the resources necessary to deliver next-generation mobile services.
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