ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has given the green light for the long-anticipated 5G spectrum auction and established an advisory committee to oversee the preparations, announced Pakistan’s Caretaker Minister for Information Technology (IT), Dr Umar Saif as reported by a local news channel.
The federal cabinet has approved the auction of 300 MHz spectrum for 5G, and an advisory committee led by the caretaker finance minister has been constituted, comprising members from the IT and industry sectors.
Dr Umar Saif highlighted that the auction process would commence once the consultant is finalized through the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). He also noted that the federal cabinet has granted approval for telecom infrastructure sharing, allowing all telecom companies to install equipment on other towers, promoting business-friendly practices in the industry.
5G Spectrum in Pakistan
It is worth mentioning that Pakistan has lagged behind other countries in launching the 5G spectrum. The Ministry of IT and Telecom had initially aimed to roll out 5G by mid-2023, seeking to attract foreign investors. However, economic instability and unpreparedness among local mobile operators have posed challenges in the timely adoption of 5G technology.
The government anticipates generating substantial revenue from the 5G auction, with reports indicating a potential auction date by August 2024. Currently utilizing 367 MHz of spectrum, mobile companies are expected to expand their capacity to over 600 MHz following the new spectrum auction, marking a significant advancement in Pakistan’s telecommunications infrastructure.
