Today’s telecom news includes announcements on 5G Spectrum Auction in Pakistan, Nokia India, Mobile Internet Suspension in J&K, among others.
Pakistan Gears Up for 5G Revolution with March Spectrum Auction
Pakistan is set to advance its digital infrastructure with a 5G spectrum auction announced by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for March 10, 2026. The auction aims to address growing demand for faster, more reliable internet across the country, which currently serves over 130 million broadband users facing slow speeds and network congestion. Telecom operators will compete to acquire next‑generation 5G spectrum, enabling them to enhance mobile services, expand coverage, and improve overall network performance. This strategic move positions Pakistan to accelerate digital connectivity, support technological growth, and meet rising consumer expectations for high-speed internet nationwide.
Nokia’s India Sales Take a Hit: Q4 Plunges 15 percent Amid Market Slowdown
Nokia’s India business saw a significant drop in net sales, falling 15 percent year-on-year to €393 million (around ₹4,325 crore) in the fourth quarter of 2025, compared with €463 million in Q4 2024. The decline impacted all business units, highlighting challenges in the Indian telecom equipment market. However, for the full year 2025, Nokia’s India sales grew 12 percent to €1.53 billion, indicating resilience despite quarterly volatility. Analysts attribute the Q4 slump to slowing demand in mobile networks and a lull following 5G rollout investments. Competitors like Ericsson reported growth during the same period, emphasizing the competitive pressures Nokia faces in India’s evolving telecom landscape.
Major Anti-Terror Operation in J&K’s Kishtwar Leads to Mobile Internet Suspension
Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district have intensified an ongoing anti‑terror operation targeting suspected Jaish‑e‑Mohammad terrorists in the snowbound Chatroo area. The operation, launched on January 18, has involved multiple encounters, including a gunbattle in the Sonnar forest that killed a paratrooper and injured several soldiers. To support the security effort and prevent misuse of communication networks, authorities temporarily suspended mobile internet services (2G–5G) in Singhpora, Chingam, and Chatroo areas, covering a six‑kilometre radius until January 30.
SHAFANA FAZAL
