ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announced on Thursday that it will hold a 5G spectrum auction in March, a key step to improve internet speeds and connectivity across the country.
The move comes amid growing pressure on Pakistan’s telecom networks, as users and businesses report slow internet and frequent disruptions. The nation of over 240 million currently faces a shortage of available spectrum.
Pakistan has more than 130 million broadband connections, but access remains uneven. Despite this, the country’s IT exports reached a record $3.8 billion in Fiscal Year 2024–25, up from $3.2 billion the previous year—an 18 percent increase, according to the Pakistan Software Export Board.
The PTA said the auction for Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS/5G) will be held on March 10. The regulator added that the process follows extensive stakeholder consultations and is designed to be smooth, transparent, and inclusive.
“The confirmed timeline allows telecom operators and prospective bidders adequate preparation time and ensures full compliance with regulatory procedures,” the PTA said. It urged interested parties to review the NGMS/5G information memorandum and follow updates on its website.
Last month, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja criticized Pakistan’s internet quality, saying it lags behind regional and international standards. One key reason, she noted, is the limited spectrum availability.
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Pakistani users currently operate on about 274 MHz of spectrum, compared with around 600 MHz in Bangladesh, creating congestion. Khawaja likened the situation to “trying to run eight lanes of traffic through two lanes.” She said the upcoming auction would help relieve the bottleneck and enhance internet services nationwide.
