Pakistan has taken a major step toward launching next-generation mobile connectivity after raising $507 million in a 5G spectrum auction conducted by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). The auction allocated 480 MHz of spectrum to leading telecom operators, paving the way for the rollout of commercial 5G services across the country.
Details of the 5G Spectrum Auction
The PTA auctioned 480 MHz of radio spectrum across several key frequency bands, including 700 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2600 MHz, and 3500 MHz. In total, about 597 MHz of spectrum had been offered in the auction, making it the largest spectrum offering in Pakistan’s telecom history.
The bidding process concluded after three rounds, with three major telecom operators securing spectrum licenses needed to deploy 5G networks:
Jazz acquired 190 MHz, making it the largest buyer in the auction.
Ufone secured 180 MHz of spectrum.
Zong obtained 110 MHz.
Jazz purchased spectrum across multiple bands including 700 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2600 MHz, and 3500 MHz, while Ufone and Zong primarily focused on the 2600 MHz and 3500 MHz bands suitable for high-capacity 5G services.
However, spectrum offered in the 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz bands did not attract bids during the auction.
5G Rollout Plans Across Pakistan
The government views the auction as a key enabler for nationwide digital transformation. According to Pakistan’s Information Technology Ministry, initial 5G services are expected to launch in Islamabad and provincial capitals before expanding to other regions.
Authorities also stated that major urban centers across Pakistan are likely to gain access to 5G services by the end of the year, depending on network deployment by operators.
The PTA described the auction as a “historic milestone” that will accelerate connectivity improvements and create a foundation for advanced digital services such as smart cities, Industry 4.0 applications, and next-generation enterprise connectivity.
Strengthening Pakistan’s Digital Economy
Pakistan has more than 190 million mobile users, making it one of the largest telecom markets in South Asia. Despite this massive subscriber base, the country’s mobile broadband ecosystem still relies heavily on 4G networks, leaving significant room for technological upgrades and capacity improvements.
The introduction of 5G is expected to transform multiple sectors including healthcare, education, manufacturing, logistics, and financial services by enabling ultra-fast speeds, low latency connectivity, and massive device connectivity for Internet of Things deployments.
To further encourage telecom infrastructure investment, the government has also eliminated Right-of-Way charges for telecom fiber deployment, reducing fees from Rs36,000 per kilometer to zero. This policy aims to accelerate fiber network expansion and support future 5G deployments.
Competitive Telecom Landscape
Pakistan’s mobile market is served by several operators, with Jazz, Ufone, and Zong now positioning themselves to lead the country’s transition to 5G.
Ufone, a subsidiary of Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited, currently serves tens of millions of subscribers and has steadily expanded its 4G coverage across the country.
Meanwhile, Zong has previously conducted successful 5G trials in Pakistan, demonstrating gigabit-level speeds during early testing phases.
The spectrum allocation gives operators the bandwidth needed to build high-capacity networks capable of supporting data-intensive applications and rising smartphone usage.
With the completion of the spectrum auction, Pakistan now joins a growing number of countries accelerating the transition to 5G networks. Industry experts believe the rollout will drive innovation, attract foreign investment, and boost the country’s digital competitiveness.
SHAFANA FAZAL