5G licenses auction expected by Feb-Mar next year, says PTA

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is moving closer to launching next-generation mobile technology, as the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has indicated that long-awaited 5G licenses are likely to be issued by February or March of next year.

PTA Chairman Major General (R) Hafeez Ur Rehman said the regulator is now in the final phase of preparations. Technical evaluations, financial frameworks, and regulatory requirements are currently being reviewed to ensure that the licensing process meets global benchmarks and remains fully transparent.

Officials believe the rollout of 5G will mark a major milestone in modernising Pakistan’s telecom landscape. The advanced technology is expected to significantly enhance network capacity, deliver faster internet speeds, and support emerging digital services across sectors such as health, education, and e-commerce.

Industry analysts say the development will contribute to strengthening the digital economy, boost IT exports, and provide a solid base for future tech-driven initiatives, including smart-city projects and industrial automation.

CRUCIAL SAC MEETING HELD IN NOVEMBER

Just weeks earlier, a key meeting of the Spectrum Advisory Committee (SAC) was held on November 14, tasked with shaping Pakistan’s first-ever 5G spectrum auction. Chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, the meeting aimed to review market-readiness reports, band recommendations, pricing models, and rollout obligations compiled by international consultants.

A delegation from National Economic Research Associates Inc. (NERA), the US-based firm advising the government on the auction, arrived in Pakistan to present their findings. Although the government initially planned to auction 562 MHz of spectrum, legal challenges have stalled progress, leaving 140 MHz, including a crucial 154 MHz block in the 2600 MHz band, tied up in litigation.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had earlier set December 2025 as the deadline for the spectrum auction, but multiple setbacks, including delays related to the PTCL-Telenor merger and ongoing court dispute, have slowed the process.

Officials note that Pakistan holds spectrum across all key International Telecommunication Union (ITU)-approved bands for 5G, such as 700, 2100, 2300, 2600, and 3300 MHz, which could also be utilised to expand 4G services.

However, telecom operators and the GSMA have repeatedly warned that prolonged delays could cost the country $1.8 to $4.3 billion in potential economic gains over the next five years. Operators are urging the government to offer more flexible terms, including lower spectrum prices, rupee-based fee structures, 15-year interest-free payment timelines, and duty-free imports of 5G equipment. But Pakistan’s commitments under the IMF programme limit the government’s ability to grant such concessions.