Key Takeaways
- Pakistan will auction 5G spectrum on March 10, 2026, expecting to earn at least $630.4 million from the sale.
- The government is offering spectrum across six frequency bands, making this the largest spectrum release in Pakistan’s history.
- Companies can submit applications by February 27, and qualified bidders will be announced on March 3 before the main auction begins.
- Winners can either pay the full license fee within one year or choose to pay 50% upfront and the rest over five years with additional charges.
- A special committee has been working on a roadmap to prepare Pakistan for 5G technology, including infrastructure development and safety regulations.
Pakistan is taking a major step toward digital transformation as the country prepares to auction its first 5G spectrum. The much-anticipated auction is now scheduled for March 10, 2026, marking a significant milestone in Pakistan’s telecommunications history.
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Government Moves Forward with 5G Plans
The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication recently announced the finalized date for Pakistan’s next-generation mobile services auction. According to reports, the government expects to generate at least $630.4 million in revenue from this historic event. Moreover, this figure represents only the minimum non-tax revenue anticipated from the spectrum sale.
The decision came after extensive discussions within the Spectrum Advisory Committee. The committee met with Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb on Thursday to finalize the details. Originally, officials planned the auction for late February. However, they pushed back the timeline to allow more preparation time.
Understanding the Auction Timeline
According to the PTA 5G auction announcement, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has issued a detailed schedule for the entire auction process. First, consultations on the Information Memorandum will wrap up on February 6. Following this, the final document will be published on February 13. Additionally, interested companies can attend an information session scheduled for February 16.
Potential bidders must submit their applications along with pre-bid deposits by February 27. On the same day, the PTA will announce the complete list of applicants. Subsequently, qualified bidders will be revealed on March 3. Furthermore, a bidder seminar is planned for March 4, with mock auctions taking place on March 5.
After the main allocation stage concludes on March 10, the assignment stage will begin immediately. The PTA will announce provisional results once assignments are complete. Then, winning bidders must submit performance bank guarantees within 15 business days before receiving their licenses.
Strategic Planning for 5G Implementation
Behind the scenes, Pakistan has been preparing for 5G technology for some time. The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication established an Advisory Committee specifically for 5G Planning. This group, known as the 5G Pakistan Plan Committee, has been working to create a comprehensive roadmap for implementing this technology across the country.
The committee brings together experts from various sectors. Members include representatives from the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication, PTA, Frequency Allocation Board, and the Prime Minister’s Office Strategic Reforms Implementation Unit. Additionally, the team includes academics, cellular mobile operators, and telecommunications equipment vendors.
Their work involves several key areas. For instance, working groups have been formed to address 5G spectrum management, telecommunications infrastructure development, and regulatory reviews. These groups are also examining health and safety considerations as well as potential 5G applications and use cases.
What Spectrum is Being Offered
This auction represents the largest spectrum release in Pakistan’s history. The government is offering bandwidth across six different frequency bands: 700, 1800, 2100, 2300, 2600, and 3500 MHz.
Specifically, the auction includes 15 MHz of paired spectrum in the 700 MHz band, 3.6 MHz in the 1800 MHz band, and 20 MHz in the 2100 MHz band. Additionally, there is 50 MHz available in the 2300 MHz band, 190 MHz in the 2600 MHz band, and 280 MHz of unpaired spectrum in the 3500 MHz band.
Pricing and Payment Options
The base prices vary depending on the frequency band. For example, spectrum in the 700 MHz band costs $6.5 million per MHz. Meanwhile, both the 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz bands are priced at $14 million per MHz. The 2300 MHz band is more affordable at $1 million per MHz, while the 2600 MHz band costs $1.25 million per MHz. Finally, the 3500 MHz band has the lowest price at $0.65 million per MHz.
Although prices are set in US dollars, payments will be made in Pakistani rupees. The conversion will use the prevailing exchange rate of the State Bank of Pakistan at the time of payment.
Operators have flexible payment options available. They can either pay the full license fee by the first anniversary of license issuance or choose deferred payments. Under the deferred option, companies must pay at least 50% by the first anniversary. The remaining balance can then be paid in five equal annual installments starting from the second year. However, deferred payments carry an additional charge of KIBOR plus 3%.
What This Means for Pakistan
The introduction of 5G technology promises to revolutionize Pakistan’s digital landscape. To fully benefit from faster speeds, users will also need optimized hardware, including 5G routers designed for high-performance networks. Beyond smart cities and healthcare, 5G photography will also unlock advanced mobile imaging and real-time content creation.
As 5G rolls out, tools like a net speed indicator will help users measure real-world performance improvements. The successful implementation of 5G will play a crucial role in the country’s digital economy and its position in the global technology landscape.
