ISLAMABAD : The country has moved a step closer to launching next-generation mobile connectivity after the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Tuesday successfully completed the third round of the country’s 5G spectrum auction, generating $507 million in revenue.
The auction, organised by the PTA in Islamabad, offered 600 MHz of spectrum for next-generation mobile services and drew participation from the country’s three major telecom operators. Government officials described the process as a landmark step towards strengthening Pakistan’s digital infrastructure and expanding high-speed internet access.
Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb, Federal Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima, and Federal Minister for Information Atta Tarar attended the launch of the auction alongside PTA Chairman Major General (Retd) Hafeez Ur Rehman.
Initially, the government plans to introduce 5G services in five major cities, with expansion expected after the initial rollout phase.
First round
The auction process began with the sale of spectrum in the 2600 MHz band, where 190 MHz of spectrum was offered. Demand exceeded supply by 110 MHz, signalling strong interest from telecom operators.
Due to the higher demand, authorities decided to increase the price of the spectrum by 5 percent for the next phase of bidding.
In another band offered during the initial stage, 280 MHz of spectrum in the 3.5 GHz band was made available. Telecom operators collectively placed bids for 200 MHz, demonstrating strong market demand for mid-band frequencies considered essential for 5G performance.
Officials overseeing the process noted that the demand indicated the telecom sector’s readiness to invest in next-generation infrastructure.
Second round
The second round of the auction was also completed successfully. DG Licensing Aamir Shahzad announced the results after telecom operators adjusted their bidding strategies.
Some bidders shifted interest from the 2600 MHz band to the 700 MHz band, which is widely regarded as valuable for wider coverage and better signal penetration.
Despite these shifts, demand in the 2600 MHz band remained higher than the number of available lots. As a result, the authorities decided to further increase the spectrum price during the auction process.