Key Points
• Major telecom operators – Jazz, Ufone, and Zong – secure hundreds of megahertz across multiple frequency bands
• Total of 480 MHz out of 595 MHz successfully booked, raising $507 million
• Next phase will assign specific frequency lots to operators over two days
• The auction is a critical step in Pakistan’s digital transformation and 5G rollout
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan completed the first stage of its auction for next-generation mobile service spectrum on Tuesday, marking a significant milestone in the country’s push to expand digital connectivity and roll out 5G technology.
Officials say the auction has already secured nearly half a billion dollars in revenue and will pave the way for faster mobile broadband and new digital services.
Hafeez Ur Rehman, chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, which regulates the country’s telecom sector, thanked the government, advisory committees, and industry participants for their contributions in making the auction a success.
The auction, held in three competitive rounds, offered spectrum across multiple frequency bands that are used for mobile communication.
In total, 595 megahertz (MHz) of spectrum was offered, of which 480 MHz was successfully booked:
- 700 MHz band: 3 lots offered, 2 sold
- 2300 MHz band: 5 lots offered, all sold (50 MHz total)
- 2600 MHz band: 19 lots offered, all sold (190 MHz total)
- 3500 MHz band (reserved specifically for 5G services): 28 lots offered, 22 sold (220 MHz total)
The participating telecom operators secured the following allocations:
- Zong: 110 MHz (60 MHz in the 2600 MHz band and 50 MHz in the 3500 MHz band)
- Ufone: 180 MHz (60 MHz in the 2600 MHz band and 120 MHz in the 3500 MHz band)
- Jazz: 190 MHz (20 MHz in the 700 MHz band, 50 MHz in the 2300 MHz band, 70 MHz in the 2600 MHz band, and 50 MHz in the 3500 MHz band)
The total revenue from this first stage amounted to $507 million, which officials described as a “historic and joyous day” for Pakistan’s telecommunications sector.
The next stage of the auction, scheduled for Thursday, will focus on the assignment phase, in which operators will finalise which specific lots they acquired within each frequency band.
This phase will be conducted over two days using specialised auction software.
Analysts say the auction is a crucial step for Pakistan’s digital transformation, as the availability of high-speed mobile spectrum underpins 5G deployment, improved broadband services, and growth in technology-enabled sectors such as e-commerce, mobile banking, and digital media.
Officials also noted that the auction reflects continuity in policy and regulatory stability, which is key to attracting investment and fostering competition in Pakistan’s rapidly growing telecommunications market.
