Pakistan Plans Investment-Friendly 5G Spectrum Auction

The upcoming 5G spectrum auction in Pakistan faces key challenges due to ongoing spectrum litigation and the delayed merger of PTCL.Official and Telenor. Minister Shaza Khawaja confirmed these issues in a written reply to the National Assembly. Despite this, the government is pushing forward through offices like Office of the Attorney General for Pakistan, Ministry of Law and Justice , and the Advisory Committee to resolve legal delays.

The auction will release 567 MHz of new spectrum—over 200% of the current capacity—across several bands including 700, 1800, 2100, 2300, 2600, and 3500 MHz. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has brought on NERA consulting to guide the process. NERA will advise on policy actions, pricing strategy, and best practices for maximizing spectrum use and investment.

The auction is designed to be investment-friendly. It allows for technology-neutral use and includes rollout obligations for 4G and 5G services. Operators will be required to expand coverage each year, based on population targets or city-wise rollout. The goal is to improve data access, attract foreign investment, and build a stronger ICT infrastructure.