ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will hold its long-planned 5G spectrum auction on March 10, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) said, offering 597 megahertz across several frequency bands to accelerate next-generation mobile services.
Officials said the auction will use a multi-round electronic clock format, with initial allocation covering the 2,600 MHz and 3,500 MHz bands. Existing telecom operators are required to acquire at least 100 MHz each under the framework.
PTA Chairman Major General (Retd) Hafeezur Rehman told media the auction aims to improve service quality, increase broadband speeds and enhance network coverage. Authorities expect commercial rollout to begin within three to six months after spectrum allocation as operators deploy new infrastructure.
According to the regulator, Pakistan’s mobile user base has expanded significantly in recent years while spectrum capacity remained limited. The additional frequencies are expected to increase data consumption and improve average revenue per user for telecom providers.
The government has also introduced incentives, including removal of right-of-way fees and relaxed regulatory requirements, to support network expansion and fibre deployment.
Operators will be required to expand 5G coverage beyond major cities including Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta, while minimum speed and coverage obligations will gradually increase over the coming years.
PTA said the new spectrum policy is designed to improve digital connectivity and prepare the telecommunications sector for future technological upgrades.
