Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has announced that it will move ahead with a separate auction of fifth generation mobile services spectrum for the territories of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit‑Baltistan, building on the completion of the initial 5G spectrum auction in mainland Pakistan earlier this month. This decision reflects efforts to extend next generation connectivity beyond the core provinces and federal areas into regions that, until now, have seen slower development of digital infrastructure and mobile broadband services.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the focus of this next phase is to tailor the process specifically for the unique requirements of these two territories. Initial steps will involve the introduction of 5G services on a trial basis in both Azad Kashmir and Gilgit‑Baltistan, with approvals for these pilot deployments already communicated by the regional governments to the federal administration. Observers say this coordination between regional and federal authorities signals an increasing alignment on priorities for enhancing connectivity in these mountainous and historically underserved regions. To oversee the auction process, PTA is expected to constitute a dedicated committee whose role will be to shape the framework specific to the two territories. This committee is likely to recommend a consultant to guide technical and commercial aspects of the auction, after which the federal government will issue a formal policy directive on 5G for the regions. Once these preparatory steps are completed, PTA is expected to engage the consultant to develop detailed proposals that will inform the auction design and rollout strategy.
Officials have indicated that the consultant will draft recommendations on rollout strategies while the Frequency Allocation Board will make the final decisions on which 5G bands are to be offered for auction. Following these decisions, PTA will finalise auction terms in line with both the consultant’s guidance and the government’s policy directive. Despite procedural differences that arise from the distinct constitutional status of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit‑Baltistan compared with the rest of Pakistan, the process itself is not expected to be unusually lengthy. While spectrum availability in these regions is not viewed as a significant constraint, the deployment of infrastructure remains a key challenge. The topography of Gilgit‑Baltistan, with its high altitude terrain and dispersed settlements, and the varied geography of Azad Kashmir both pose practical considerations for the extension of high‑speed services. By contrast, the recent auction in Islamabad saw 480 megahertz out of a total 597 megahertz offered successfully sold to operators, marking an important milestone in Pakistan’s 5G rollout efforts.
Officials estimate that, with the dedicated process and frameworks in place, the 5G spectrum auction in Azad Kashmir could be completed within a year, potentially paving the way for broader adoption of 5G technologies in the coming months. The move is expected to encourage improved digital infrastructure in the northern and eastern fringes of the country, supporting not just enhanced mobile broadband but also future business and enterprise services that rely on next generation mobile connectivity.
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