The federal government on Tuesday raised $507 million in the 5G spectrum auction, selling 480MHz of spectrum against a target of 597MHz, as three telecommunication operators secured frequencies to roll out next-generation mobile services.
The auction concluded after three rounds, with the results announced by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Hafeezur Rehman. Information Technology and Telecommunication Minister Shaza Fatima was also present at the auction.
Rehman said the auction saw the sale of two out of three lots in the 700MHz band, all five lots in the 2300MHz band, all 19 lots in the 2600MHz band, and 22 out of 28 lots in the 3500MHz band, bringing the total spectrum sold to 480 MHz. He described the sale as “a historic and joyous milestone” for Pakistan, highlighting the country’s progress in digital transformation. He also emphasized the collaboration of telecom operators, who actively participated and ensured competitive pricing.
The PTA chairman says the next stage of the auction, scheduled to be held on Thursday, would involve assigning specific lots within each band. Operators will internally decide which frequencies to take in the upper, middle, or lower segments of each band.
The I.T. minister said the auction marked a major milestone in Pakistan’s telecommunications history. She stressed the event was conducted with full transparency, with all bidding processes broadcast live from the control room established by the PTA.
“Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif instructed that every detail of the auction be live and transparent, ensuring public trust,” she said and praised the contributions of the PTA, industry partners, international consultants, and the Ministry of I.T. for their roles in facilitating the auction.
She recalled that Pakistan first entered the 3G and 4G era between 2014 and 2016 under the leadership of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. “Those earlier auctions laid the foundation for today’s digital progress. With the 600MHz spectrum now available, Pakistan moves from being spectrum-starved to meeting regional benchmarks,” she added.
Fatima highlighted that the new spectrum would significantly enhance internet speeds and connectivity for millions of Pakistanis, promising improved mobile experiences in the coming months. She said 5G services would initially commence in Islamabad and provincial capitals, marking the country’s entry into the list of countries offering next-generation mobile services.
The minister also acknowledged the crucial role of the Spectrum Advisory Committee, the Ministry of Finance, and other government institutions in facilitating the auction. She commended the media for supporting the live broadcast of the event.
Spectrum secured
According to the PTA, Jazz has secured 190MHz, Ufone 180MHz, and Zong 110MHz in the auction.
In a statement, Jazz said it spent $239.375 million in the auction, reinforcing its long-term commitment to strengthening the country’s digital infrastructure. The latest acquisition takes the telecom’s spectrum holdings from 94.4MHz to 284.4MHz.
Jazz’s latest acquisition comprises 50MHz in the 3500MHz band; 70MHz in the 2600MHz band; 50MHz in the 2300MHz band; and 20MHz in the 700MHz band. The 700MHz band, it said, is particularly well suited for wide-area coverage, adding it would play a critical role in extending high-quality connectivity to rural and underserved communities across Pakistan.
JazzWorld CEO Aamir Ibrahim appreciated the Government of Pakistan, the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority for the auction. “This spectrum acquisition reinforces JazzWorld’s digital ambition as we evolve into a full-scale ServiceCo, enabling us to progressively introduce 5G where it creates real value while expanding high-quality 4G connectivity for the masses. Our continued investments reflect our long-term confidence in Pakistan and our purpose of enabling a better life for all through technology,” he added.
According to latest available data, the average Pakistani customer used 8GB of data during the last fiscal year against a regional average of 20GB. Nearly 40% of subscribers still lack access to 4G in the country, and about a quarter remain without mobile broadband.