ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is set to auction a 600-megahertz (MHz) spectrum next month to address slow Internet speeds, reduce network congestion, and pave the way for nationwide 5G services. The move comes as the country’s broadband infrastructure struggles to meet growing demand, with users reporting frequent disruptions.
Officials say the auction will not only enhance 4G performance but also support the expansion of Pakistan’s digital economy and improve connectivity for both businesses and households.
Pakistan currently has over 130 million broadband connections, but access remains uneven. Nevertheless, IT exports reached a record $3.8 billion in fiscal year 2024–25, up from $3.2 billion the previous year, marking an 18 percent year-on-year increase, according to the Pakistan Software Export Board.
Speaking at an event in Islamabad on Monday, Information Technology (IT) Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja said the federal cabinet had ratified the decision for the spectrum auction. “This will not only improve 4G speed but also help roll out 5G services,” she added.
Last month, Khawaja highlighted that the quality of Internet service in Pakistan lagged behind international best practices and even regional standards, citing the non-availability of spectrum as a fundamental reason.
Pakistani Internet users currently operate on roughly 274 MHz of spectrum, compared with around 600 MHz in Bangladesh, causing congestion she likened to “trying to run eight lanes of traffic through two lanes.”
At Monday’s event, the IT minister also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to investing in youth capacity-building. “Youth are the country’s greatest asset,” she said, noting that over half a million young Pakistanis had been trained in various fields over the past 18 months.
The spectrum auction is expected to play a key role in expanding broadband access, improving service quality, and supporting Pakistan’s growing digital economy, providing both businesses and households with faster and more reliable connectivity.
