Pakistan is preparing for its largest telecom spectrum auction in history, with regulators set to offer 600 megahertz of spectrum to mobile operators. The move represents a significant expansion compared to previous sales and is expected to accelerate the rollout of 5G services across the country.
Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, Hafeez-ur-Rehman, briefed the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology regarding the upcoming auction. He noted that over the past 12 years, only 69 MHz of spectrum had been sold across four separate auctions, underscoring the unprecedented scale of the upcoming sale.
The 600 MHz spectrum allocation will provide telecom operators with additional bandwidth necessary to support high-speed mobile data, enhanced connectivity, and advanced 5G network services. Industry analysts believe this auction could be a transformative step for Pakistan’s digital infrastructure, boosting mobile internet speeds and capacity.
Officials indicated that the auction will follow established regulatory frameworks to ensure transparency, fair competition, and compliance with national telecommunications policies. Mobile operators are expected to actively participate, given the strategic importance of this spectrum for next-generation network services.
The PTA emphasized that this initiative aligns with the government’s broader goal of strengthening Pakistan’s digital economy. By enabling more efficient spectrum utilization, authorities aim to improve connectivity, reduce network congestion, and promote innovation in telecom services.
The auction is expected to attract significant attention from local and regional telecom providers. With 5G technology becoming increasingly essential for sectors such as education, healthcare, and e-commerce, the spectrum allocation could have widespread economic and social benefits.
This largest-ever spectrum auction marks a critical milestone in Pakistan’s telecommunications history, paving the way for faster, more reliable mobile networks and reinforcing the country’s commitment to digital transformation.
