PTA Begins Second Phase of 5G Spectrum Auction as Operators Prepare to Bid

Islamabad

The second phase of Pakistan’s 5G spectrum auction is set to begin shortly at the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) headquarters, with all arrangements completed for the crucial assignment stage of the Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS) rollout.

According to officials, all three telecom operators — Jazz, Zong, and Ufone — will participate in the bidding process, which will determine the exact positioning of the spectrum blocks secured during the landmark auction held earlier this week.

The assignment stage will cover the 2600 MHz and 3500 MHz spectrum bands, while the 700 MHz band will not require assignment, as it was acquired solely by Jazz during the auction.

Officials said the process will divide the spectrum into lower, middle, and upper blocks, allowing operators to bid for preferred placements within the bands. The system is designed to optimize network performance and reduce interference among operators once 5G services are deployed.

Under the auction mechanism, the starting price for the first round has been set at $0.1 million, rising to $1 million in the second round if competing bids continue.

Industry sources describe the assignment phase as a critical step before telecom companies can begin planning the commercial rollout of 5G services across Pakistan, marking a key milestone in the country’s push toward faster connectivity and digital transformation.