ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday launched the auction of spectrum for next-generation mobile services (NGMS), or 5G, in a major step toward faster mobile broadband and the expansion of the country’s digital economy.
The auction, conducted by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), will determine which telecom operators secure the frequencies needed to deploy fifth-generation networks nationwide.
With a population exceeding 240 million and over 190 million mobile users, Pakistan ranks among the world’s largest telecom markets by population. However, most networks currently operate on 4G infrastructure, and the 5G rollout has faced delays due to regulatory, economic, and spectrum-allocation challenges.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb described the auction as a historic milestone in the country’s digital development.
“The NGMS/5G Spectrum Auction is a historic milestone that will accelerate Pakistan’s digital transformation and strengthen the digital economy,” Aurangzeb said during the auction ceremony.
He noted that the auction framework had been developed after 18 months of deliberations by a spectrum committee, aiming to balance government revenue goals with the need for an enabling environment for digital growth.
Improved connectivity, he said, will create economic opportunities across sectors such as information technology and IT-enabled services, among Pakistan’s fastest-growing export industries. Stronger digital infrastructure will also support freelance work, digital payments, and the government’s broader Digital Pakistan agenda.
Officials highlighted that 5G is expected to significantly improve internet speeds and boost sectors including e-commerce, fintech, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence.
PTA Director General Licensing Aamir Shahzad said the auction would use an electronic bidding system. Six spectrum bands are initially offered to the country’s three major mobile operators — Ufone, Zong, and Jazz — followed by bidding for five additional bands. Each spectrum band will be auctioned separately, rather than through an open bidding format.
5G services are expected to launch first in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, and Quetta, before expanding nationwide as network infrastructure develops.
Information Technology Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja said the government is also encouraging the adoption of 5G-compatible devices, noting that 95 percent of mobile phones in Pakistan are locally manufactured, while premium models like iPhones and Google Pixels are imported.
Currently, Pakistan uses around 274 megahertz of spectrum, much of it allocated decades ago. The new auction will make 600 megahertz available for next-generation services.
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Under the government’s plan, telecom operators are expected to add roughly 3,000 new network sites annually to support 5G expansion.
PTA officials said Pakistan currently offers some of the world’s cheapest mobile data services and pledged that consumer protection would remain a priority as next-generation connectivity rolls out.
