Pak Telecom Mobile Limited, operating under the Ufone brand, has formally entered Pakistan’s fifth-generation mobile landscape holding the largest share of the 3500 megahertz frequency band, which serves as the global benchmark for fifth-generation connectivity. The operator pursued an aggressive acquisition strategy during Pakistan’s recently concluded spectrum auction, securing the largest block in the 3500 megahertz band alongside an additional 60 megahertz in the 2600 megahertz band, giving it a formidable position from which to deliver high-speed fifth-generation services and a consistently superior user experience from the outset of the commercial rollout.
The competitive picture for Ufone becomes considerably more significant when viewed alongside the planned amalgamation of Telenor Pakistan into the operator. Subject to regulatory approvals, the combined entity referred to as MergeCo is expected to hold a total spectrum portfolio of 292.4 megahertz, making it the largest spectrum holder in Pakistan’s telecom industry by a margin of eight megahertz over its closest competitor. The portfolio spans low, mid, and high frequency bands, with 44.8 megahertz of low-frequency spectrum in the 850 megahertz and 900 megahertz bands representing the largest low-band holding in the industry, a critical advantage for delivering reliable internet coverage across rural and semi-urban areas where high-frequency bands struggle to penetrate. MergeCo’s 120 megahertz contiguous spectrum block in the 3500 megahertz band will further support wider fifth-generation channels aligned with global standards, translating into higher peak speeds, more stable data throughput, and the ability to serve a significantly greater number of simultaneous users in high-demand urban environments.
Speaking on the milestone, President and Chief Executive Officer of PTCL and Ufone, Hatem Bamatraf, said that PTML now controls the largest share of the global standard 3500 megahertz spectrum at twice the holding of any competitor, positioning the operator to set the benchmark for speed and performance in Pakistan. He noted that following the Telenor Pakistan integration, the combined entity will be the largest spectrum holder in the market, enabling the delivery of faster speeds, broader coverage, and digital experiences that create real value for customers across the country. Post amalgamation, MergeCo’s enhanced network capacity is expected to unlock a new generation of digital services for both individual and enterprise customers, encompassing seamless ultra-high-definition streaming, immersive cloud gaming, augmented and virtual reality applications, and faster access to a growing ecosystem of digital platforms, while simultaneously uplifting the existing fourth-generation experience for subscribers nationwide.
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