ISLAMABAD: In a landmark move for the country’s digital landscape, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has successfully concluded the spectrum auction for Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS), marking a decisive step toward the nationwide rol-lout of 5G technology.
The auction, which concluded after three competitive rounds, generated a substantial $510 million (Rs 142.6 billion) for the national exchequer. Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja, alongside PTA Chairman Hafeez Ur Rehman, announced the results, describing the achievement as a “historic and joyous milestone” in Pakistan’s journey toward digital transformation.
The process reached its finality during the Assignment Stage, where specific frequency positions were allocated to cellular operators to allow for immediate network planning. Among the primary bidders, Jazz emerged as the largest investor, securing spectrum worth $239.38 million. Zong and Ufone followed with investments of $156.75 million and $113.47 million, respectively.
In total, 480 MHz of spectrum was sold across various frequency bands, including the 700 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2600 MHz, and 3500 MHz ranges. This allocation ensures that operators have the necessary bandwidth to deploy high-speed, low-latency services that define the 5G era.
With the frequency positions now finalized, the transition from administrative planning to physical deployment begins. Industry experts suggest this move will pave the way for a gradual but transformative rollout of 5G services, promising to enhance connectivity for millions of users and provide a much-needed boost to the country’s burgeoning tech economy.
