Pakistan Raises $507 Million in 5G Spectrum Auction as Jazz Leads Purchases -

PAKISTAN

Pakistan successfully concluded its long-awaited 5G spectrum auction on Tuesday, raising $507 million through the sale of 480 MHz of spectrum to telecom operators Jazz, Zong, and Ufone. The auction, conducted by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), fell short of the projected revenue target of $634.5 million from 597.2 MHz on offer, but officials hailed the event as a historic milestone in the country’s digital transformation journey.

Jazz emerged as the dominant buyer, acquiring 190 MHz of spectrum across multiple bands. The operator secured 50 MHz in the 3500 MHz band, 70 MHz in the 2600 MHz band, 50 MHz in the 2300 MHz band, and 20 MHz in the 700 MHz band.

Ufone followed closely with 180 MHz of spectrum purchases, comprising 120 MHz in the 3500 MHz band and 60 MHz in the 2600 MHz band.

Zong obtained 110 MHz, including 50 MHz in the 3500 MHz band and 60 MHz in the 2600 MHz band.

The auction offered spectrum across four frequency bands, with sales distributed as follows:

700 MHz band: Two lots sold
2300 MHz band: All five lots sold
2600 MHz band: All 19 lots sold
3500 MHz band: 22 of 28 lots sold

The 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz bands remained unsold during the auction process.

PTA Chairman Hafeez Ur Rehman described the auction as a “historic milestone,” stating that improved digital connectivity would act as the “digital highway” for Pakistan’s economy. He also announced that Pakistan has become the first country in Asia to abolish Right-of-Way (RoW) charges for telecom infrastructure, reducing fees from Rs36,000 per kilometre to zero to encourage fibre network expansion.

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb termed the auction an important moment for all stakeholders, emphasizing that digital development is a means to achieve broader economic and social progress. He noted that greater spectrum availability and the rollout of 5G services would facilitate emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and Web 3.0.

IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja highlighted that Pakistan had reached a “choking point” in spectrum availability and the additional bandwidth would significantly improve internet services nationwide. She announced plans to launch 5G in major cities and provincial capitals by the end of the year.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar praised the transparent bidding process, noting that the auction was conducted online through specialized software and broadcast live on the direction of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The next stage of the auction will be held shortly, involving the assignment of specific lots within each band, where operators will internally decide which frequencies to take at the top, middle, or lower segments. – ERMD

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