Pakistan on Tuesday raised $507 million in a long-awaited 5G spectrum auction, selling 480 MHz of spectrum against a target of 597 MHz, as telecom operators Jazz, Ufone, and Zong secured frequencies to roll out next-generation mobile services nationwide.
The auction concluded after three competitive rounds, with results announced by Major General (R) Hafeez ur Rehman, alongside Shaza Fatima Khawaja and Attaullah Tarar.
According to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, the auction sold 2 lots in the 700 MHz band, all 5 lots in 2300 MHz, all 19 lots in 2600 MHz, and 22 of 28 lots in 3500 MHz, bringing the total spectrum allocation to 480 MHz.
Allocation highlights:
- Jazz emerged as the largest buyer, acquiring 190 MHz: 50 MHz in 3500 MHz, 70 MHz in 2600 MHz, 50 MHz in 2300 MHz, and 20 MHz in 700 MHz.
- Ufone secured 180 MHz, including 120 MHz in 3500 MHz and 60 MHz in 2600 MHz.
- Zong obtained 110 MHz.
Speaking at the event, Shaza Fatima Khawaja said the government had made approximately 600 MHz of spectrum available and conducted the auction live and transparently under directives from Shehbaz Sharif.
“Pakistan had reached a ‘choking point’ in spectrum availability,” she noted, adding that the new frequencies would significantly enhance internet quality nationwide. She also said 5G services are expected to launch in five major cities by year-end, and highlighted that spectrum vacated by the armed forces and other institutions was instrumental in enabling the auction.
Officials said consumers would begin noticing faster mobile internet speeds in the coming months as operators upgrade their networks to support 5G services.
