ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has generated $510 million (Rs142.6 billion) through the auction of next-generation mobile spectrum, authorities said on Thursday, after the telecom regulator completed the final stage of the multi-band auction process required for the rollout of 5G services.
The auction was conducted by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and concluded with a position assignment round, in which telecom operators determined the exact placement of the spectrum blocks they had acquired.
Speaking at a press briefing in Islamabad, PTA Chairman Hafeez Ur Rehman said the main bidding round held on March 10 generated $507 million, while the final positioning stage raised an additional $3 million, bringing the total proceeds to $510 million.
The government said the auction marks a major step toward introducing next-generation mobile internet services in Pakistan.
5G rollout in Pakistan
According to the PTA chairman, a total of 480 MHz of spectrum was sold during the auction out of the 597 MHz offered across several frequency bands.
The final phase of the process involved assigning the precise placement of spectrum blocks in the 2600 MHz and 3500 MHz bands, which are considered crucial for high-speed mobile broadband and 5G deployment.
The Spectrum Auction Assignment Stage to determine the frequency in each band for the Next Generation Mobile Services/5G in Pakistan. #5G Pakistan #5GAuction #NGMS #DigitalPakistan #PTA #FutureConnectivity #5GLaunch #TechPakistan #ConnectedPakistan #SpectrumAuction… pic.twitter.com/tk9IxY2JRo
— PTA (@PTAofficialpk) March 12, 2026
Operators bid for lower, middle and upper block positions within the bands to optimise network performance and reduce interference between competing networks.
The positioning process for the 2600 MHz band concluded after three rounds of bidding, while the 3500 MHz band required five rounds before operators finalised their preferred positions.
No positioning process was required for the 700 MHz band, which was secured solely by one telecom operator, Jazz, during the auction.
Describing the process as one of the largest spectrum sales globally in terms of volume, Hafeez Ur Rehman said the government had completed its responsibility by conducting the auction.
“It is now the telecom operators’ turn to transform this spectrum into improved services for consumers,” he said.
Expansion of telecom network capacity
Officials said the country’s three major telecom operators actively participated in the auction, reflecting strong demand for additional spectrum needed to expand network capacity.
According to PTA figures, the spectrum acquired by operators during the auction includes:
- Jazz: 190 MHz
- Ufone: 180 MHz
- Zong: 110 MHz
The PTA said the new allocations would enable operators to expand network capacity and improve service quality nationwide.
Milestone for digital transformation
Speaking alongside the PTA chairman, Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja described the auction as a milestone in Pakistan’s digital development.
She said the process was made possible by policy decisions taken by the government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The minister credited the PTA, the Frequency Allocation Board, and other institutions for facilitating the auction.
She also acknowledged the armed forces for cooperating in vacating spectrum required for the process.
Khawaja said international interest in Pakistan’s digital sector was increasing.
“Several countries inquired about Pakistan’s 5G plans during the Mobile World Congress,” she said.
5G pilots to begin next week
The IT minister said 5G pilot projects will begin in major cities next week, marking the first step toward commercial deployment.
She added that commercial rollout of the technology is expected in the coming months.
“The internet has become a basic necessity for Pakistan,” she said.
Khawaja said the government was also finalising a smartphone leasing policy under the direction of the prime minister to improve access to smart devices and accelerate digital adoption.
She reiterated that the Ministry of IT and the PTA had repeatedly recommended reducing taxes on mobile services and devices, although such decisions fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has inaugurated the Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS) / 5G Spectrum Auction in Pakistan, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s digital journey. The Assignment Stage, determining specific frequency positions within each band,… pic.twitter.com/2Q5ROAvk4W
— PTA (@PTAofficialpk) March 11, 2026
Faster speeds expected
PTA Chairman Hafeez Ur Rehman said the deployment of the newly acquired spectrum would significantly improve connectivity across Pakistan.
He said average internet speeds could rise from around 4 megabits per second (Mbps) to nearly 20 Mbps once the new spectrum becomes operational.
Responding to a question, he added that mobile service packages had increased by only 10 to 15 percent over the past three years despite rising operational costs.
He assured that the rollout of 5G would not lead to higher mobile package prices for consumers.
The IT minister noted that the country had previously been operating on only 274 MHz of spectrum, placing it among the lowest globally in terms of spectrum availability.
Following the auction, Pakistan’s spectrum capacity has expanded significantly, improving the country’s position and strengthening its telecommunications infrastructure.
The government views the auction as a foundation for expanding Pakistan’s digital economy and advancing its broader vision of building a “Digital Nation.”
