PTA Confirms 5G Auction and Rollout Plan
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Hafeezur Rehman announced on Wednesday that the long-awaited 5G spectrum auction will take place on March 10, marking a major step toward the country’s next-generation connectivity goals. The rollout of 5G services will begin in federal and provincial capitals, with expansion to other cities planned over the next few years.
Speaking at a media briefing, Rehman said that enhanced digital connectivity is essential for achieving the government’s Digital Pakistan vision. He highlighted that the removal of the right-of-way fee—previously a major hurdle for fibre-optic deployment—will now allow operators to speed up the installation of critical infrastructure. He credited the Ministry of IT & Telecom for supporting the decision.
Rehman said telecom operators understand the importance of early deployment and are preparing investment strategies ahead of the auction. He added that operators have already placed orders for 5G equipment, while local manufacturing of 5G-enabled smartphones is underway, with an estimated 500,000 to 600,000 units produced so far.
Despite the focus on 5G, the PTA chairman stressed that improving 4G remains the country’s top priority, as nearly 90% of mobile users still rely on it. He said that by optimising existing spectrum bands, Pakistan could significantly enhance 4G performance, similar to improvements seen in Bangladesh. To support the sector, operators have been given more flexibility in spectrum sharing, along with relaxed regulatory conditions and a one-year moratorium on upfront payments to help them prioritise quality-of-service improvements.
Rehman said that strengthening 4G networks will enhance user experience and drive higher data consumption, ultimately benefiting operators and the overall telecom ecosystem. He added that Pakistan aims to align its telecom growth with regional standards while ensuring dependable connectivity for the public.
Director General Licensing Aamir Shahzad explained that the auction will follow a multi-round electronic clock format, with mandatory bidding in the 2600 MHz and 3500 MHz bands. A total of 597 MHz of spectrum will be available. Companies intending to participate must submit applications by February 27, along with a $15 million bank guarantee. Approved bidders will take part in mock auctions before the final round. If demand exceeds available spectrum, prices will rise in successive rounds. The process will end with an assignment stage, and provisional winners must submit performance guarantees within 15 business days before receiving licenses.
The PTA has set a fixed exchange rate for dollar payments and will allow operators to pay either the full amount upfront or 50% upfront with the remaining amount spread over five annual installments at KIBOR + 3%.
Once licenses are awarded, 5G services are expected to launch within three to six months, beginning in major cities. Operators will be required to install at least 1,000 sites each year, with 200 designated for underserved areas to improve coverage.
The PTA has also laid out ambitious targets for service quality. For 4G, minimum download speeds will increase from 20 Mbps in 2026–27 to 50 Mbps by 2030–35, with latency improving from 75 ms to 50 ms. For 5G, download speeds will start at a minimum of 50 Mbps and rise to 100 Mbps by 2030–35, with latency targets set to drop to 35 ms.
