First round of Pakistan’s 5G spectrum auction completed

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday conducted the first round of its 5G spectrum auction, with telecom companies submitting bids for multiple frequency bands as the country moves closer to launching next-generation mobile services.

According to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), bids were submitted for two of the six spectrum bands offered in the opening round of the auction, with three telecom companies participating in the process.

Officials said around 190 megahertz of spectrum was available in the 2600MHz band during the first round. The regulator received 30 bids competing for 19 available lots, including 11 additional bids that created excess demand for the spectrum.

Due to the higher demand, the authority said a revised price for the 2600MHz band would be determined.

In the 3500MHz band, about 280 megahertz of spectrum was offered, consisting of 28 lots. During the first round, bids were submitted for 20 of those lots.

Read More: Fuel tanker docks at Port Qasim amid supply crisis

Officials added that the second round of the auction would begin shortly and would last approximately 30 minutes.

Speaking at the event in Islamabad, the PTA chairman said internet load-shedding remained a major challenge for reliable connectivity across the country, adding that the introduction of 5G technology would help deliver faster and more advanced internet services.

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb described the auction as a significant milestone for Pakistan’s IT sector and said the government was working to stabilise the economy while expanding digital infrastructure.

He added that the government aimed to provide faster and more affordable internet access to citizens and acknowledged the role of former IT minister Amin Ul Haque in advancing the 5G initiative.

Meanwhile, Federal Minister for IT Shaza Fatima Khawaja said the rollout of 5G would mark Pakistan’s transition from 4G to more advanced connectivity.

She said access to modern internet services had become essential and expressed confidence that the auction process would conclude successfully, adding that improved connectivity would help boost economic growth and support Pakistan’s digital economy.