Pakistan’s telecom industry has urged the federal government to adopt rational and market aligned conditions in the upcoming spectrum auction policy, which is expected to be presented to the federal cabinet in the coming days. Industry representatives argue that the government should prioritise long term economic and digital benefits rather than focusing on short term revenue generation. Telecom operators have stressed that radio spectrum, while invisible, is a critical form of national infrastructure that underpins digital connectivity and supports nearly every aspect of modern economic and social life.
Industry officials note that financial technology platforms, freelancer marketplaces, digital education tools, telemedicine services, and cloud based systems used by businesses and government institutions all depend on reliable and affordable mobile broadband capacity. Despite surging demand for data services across Pakistan, the amount of spectrum allocated nationwide remains limited. At present, only 274 MHz of spectrum is available across the country, a level that operators say is insufficient to meet current needs. This shortage has contributed to slower internet speeds, inconsistent service quality, and constraints on innovation, affecting households, enterprises, and public sector institutions alike.
Aamir Ibrahim, chief executive officer of Jazz, highlighted that Pakistan’s next spectrum auction must reflect the economic realities faced by the telecom sector. He said that since telecom operators generate revenues in Pakistani rupees, spectrum pricing and associated payment structures should also be denominated in the local currency to reduce financial strain and enable faster network deployment. He added that a pragmatic, long term approach aligned with national objectives is essential to expand affordable internet access at scale and support the country’s digital ambitions. Greater spectrum availability, he noted, would also benefit Pakistan’s freelancer community, which contributed around 400 million dollars in remittances between July 2024 and March 2025 but continues to face limitations due to unstable connectivity.
Industry data further shows that nearly two fifths of Pakistan’s adult population remains financially excluded, partly because digital banking, fintech, and microfinance services cannot scale effectively without consistent and high quality network coverage. At the same time, telecom operators are operating under pressure from an average revenue per user of around one dollar, among the lowest globally. This limits their ability to reinvest in infrastructure, expand coverage, and adopt newer technologies unless policy conditions are carefully structured.
The government’s decision to release more than 600 MHz of additional spectrum has been described by industry players as a foundational reform that aligns with national digital goals and supports emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and Internet of Things applications. However, operators argue that the structure of the auction will be critical. Industry statements reference GSMA analysis suggesting that a two year delay in releasing new spectrum could cost Pakistan around 1.8 billion dollars in GDP, while a five year delay could push losses beyond 4.3 billion dollars. They warn that poorly aligned policy decisions could translate into fewer jobs, weaker exports, and slower innovation across multiple sectors of the economy.
Alongside policy discussions, telecom operators are also preparing for the technical demands of next generation networks. As Pakistan moves closer to launching 5G services, Zong, in collaboration with Huawei, has completed the country’s first field test of a full duplex E band microwave backhaul link. The test was aimed at addressing the rapid growth in data traffic driven by high definition video streaming, cloud services, augmented reality, and low latency applications. Traditional microwave backhaul solutions are increasingly constrained by spectrum limitations, while the new technology allows simultaneous transmission and reception on the same frequency, doubling spectrum efficiency and enabling data speeds of up to 50 Gbps per link.
Zong’s Chief Technology Officer Mao Weiliang said ultra high capacity backhaul solutions form a foundation for Pakistan’s digital future, supporting advanced services and improved user experience while contributing to economic growth and digital inclusion. With this successful test, Zong became the first operator in Pakistan to deploy full duplex E band technology, reinforcing the role of network investment alongside policy reform as the country works to expand connectivity and prepare for more data intensive services.
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