Director General of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Aamir Shehzad, on Tuesday outlined key terms and timelines for Pakistan’s upcoming 5G spectrum auction, stating that bids can be submitted until February 27.
Speaking at a media briefing, the DG announced that prospective bidders must deposit a mandatory $15 million bank guarantee to qualify for participation. The auction process is expected to span two to three days, depending on the level of competition.
Under the framework, bidders will be required to participate in the 3500 MHz band, while in Round One operators must acquire spectrum in both the 2600 MHz and 3500 MHz bands. A spectrum cap has also been imposed to prevent any single operator from monopolizing available frequencies in a specific band.
The government, responding to demands from telecom operators, has fixed the dollar exchange rate for auction day to ensure financial predictability. Officials say this move aims to reduce currency-related risks for participants.
Rollout Obligations and Coverage Targets
Under the network rollout plan, each operator will be required to install 1,000 new sites annually, with at least 200 of those sites dedicated to areas currently facing network challenges. Authorities emphasized that services will be expanded not only in urban centers but also in rural regions to bridge the digital divide.
5G services will initially be launched in the federal capital and provincial capitals before gradual nationwide expansion. Operators will also be mandated to increase tower fiberization annually, with fiberization declared a compulsory requirement.
Additionally, telecom companies must submit a detailed 5G coverage map as part of their compliance obligations.
Speed Benchmarks and Expected Impact
For the first two years, 4G minimum download speeds have been set at 20 Mbps, while 5G launch speeds are expected to start at 50 Mbps. Officials estimate that following the 5G auction, overall mobile internet speeds across the country could rise by approximately 25 percent.
The PTA maintains that the auction framework is designed to promote competition, ensure fair spectrum distribution, and accelerate Pakistan’s digital transformation.
Further procedural details are expected as the February 27 deadline approaches.
