Pakistan Telecommunication Authority will conduct the second phase of Pakistan’s 5G spectrum auction tomorrow, focusing on the positioning of frequency blocks already acquired by telecom operators during the first stage of the auction. In this phase, operators will compete to determine the exact placement of their spectrum within specific frequency ranges. The assignment based auction will cover the 2600 MHz and 3500 MHz bands, which are considered important spectrum resources for future 5G network deployment in the country.
The second stage differs from the initial bidding round because the spectrum quantities have already been purchased by telecom operators. Instead of competing for the amount of spectrum, companies will bid for their preferred placement within the available frequency ranges. The positioning of spectrum blocks plays an important role in network performance, as it determines whether an operator receives spectrum located in the top, middle, or lower portion of a particular band. These positions can influence factors such as signal efficiency, interference levels and network planning strategies for 5G infrastructure. According to the regulatory framework set by PTA, telecom operators may avoid bidding if they mutually agree on how the frequency bands should be positioned among them. In such a case, the regulator will finalize the allocation without conducting a competitive auction. However, if the companies fail to reach an agreement, the positioning will be decided through bidding. PTA has established an initial positioning fee of 100,000 dollars for the process. If competition continues beyond the first round and proceeds to a second round of bidding, the price for spectrum positioning could increase to as much as one million dollars.
The positioning auction follows the successful completion of the first phase of Pakistan’s 5G spectrum sale. During that stage, a total of 480 MHz of spectrum was auctioned out of the 597.2 MHz that had been made available for the market. The auction drew participation from major telecom operators operating in Pakistan, each competing to secure capacity for their future 5G services. The outcome of the first phase determined the quantity of spectrum each company will hold once the spectrum assignment process is completed. Among the participating operators, Pak Telecom Mobile Limited acquired the largest block, securing 180 MHz of spectrum during the auction. Pakistan Mobile Communications Limited followed with the purchase of 190 MHz, while Zong obtained 110 MHz. These allocations reflect the companies’ preparation for expanding next generation mobile services as Pakistan moves toward commercial 5G deployment in the coming years.
The first phase of the auction generated approximately 507 million dollars in revenue for the government, marking a significant financial outcome from the sale of telecommunications spectrum. PTA expects that the second phase involving spectrum positioning will add a smaller but additional amount to the overall proceeds. Estimates from the regulator suggest that positioning bids could generate between one million and two million dollars depending on whether operators reach a mutual agreement or proceed with competitive bidding. The completion of both phases will finalize the allocation and placement of spectrum blocks across the 2600 MHz and 3500 MHz bands. Once positioning is confirmed, telecom operators will be able to begin planning their network deployments based on the assigned frequencies. Spectrum allocation and placement are key steps in preparing the telecommunications sector for future 5G services, as operators rely on these bands to support higher capacity, improved speeds and expanded digital connectivity for mobile users and businesses across Pakistan.
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