ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is on the brink of a historic technological shift as the country prepares to launch its long-awaited 5G spectrum auction, a move expected to trigger a major digital revolution by delivering ultra-fast internet, smarter communication systems, and new economic opportunities across the country.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has officially invited stakeholders to attend the opening ceremony of the Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS)/5G spectrum auction scheduled for 10 March 2026 in Islamabad, marking a milestone moment in Pakistan’s technology journey.
Industry sources believed that the auction could become the largest spectrum release in Pakistan’s telecom history, offering nearly 597–600 MHz of spectrum across low-, mid- and high-band frequencies, which are essential for supporting high-speed, low-latency mobile communication. They estimated that the auction may generate between $300 million and over $700 million for the national treasury, depending on bidding competition, spectrum demand, and final market participation. They said the government has expected around $300 million revenue if approximately 300 MHz spectrum is acquired under non-competitive bidding conditions, while aggressive bidding could push earnings closer to the upper projection. The auction will follow a multi-round electronic clock mechanism, with primary offerings expected in the 2600 MHz and 3500 MHz bands — globally recognized as core spectrum blocks for 5G deployment due to their ability to support high-speed mobile broadband and low-latency connectivity, said sources.
It is also learnt from industry sources that authorities have reduced Right of Way (ROW) charges from Rs26,000 per kilometre to zero to accelerate infrastructure expansion, a policy designed to speed up fiber network installation and reduce deployment barriers for telecom operators.
Following successful auction completion, preliminary 5G service rollout is expected within 3–6 months, depending on network readiness, equipment installation, and operator investment plans.
Local manufacturing of 5G-enabled smartphones has already begun, with production estimates reaching 500,000–600,000 units, reflecting growing market preparedness for next-generation mobile technology.
Network performance is also expected to improve significantly, with authorities projecting 25% improvement in mobile broadband speeds. In selected deployment zones, 4G speeds may increase fivefold, while 5G networks will initially target major urban centers including Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, and Quetta.
Long-term digital infrastructure plans include increasing the fiber-to-the-site (FTTS) ratio from about 20% to nearly 35% by 2035, supporting sustainable high-speed connectivity expansion.
Technical benchmarks indicate future mobile standards may target 20 Mbps minimum 4G download speeds by 2026-27, potentially rising to 50 Mbps by 2030-35. For 5G services, initial targets include 50 Mbps download speed, with long-term goals reaching 100 Mbps and latency as low as 35 milliseconds.
The industry sources further said that the auction could reshape Pakistan’s digital economy by enabling Internet of Things (IoT) applications, smart industrial automation, telemedicine services, and advanced mobile solutions.
Spectrum expansion will help reduce network congestion, enhance service quality, and strengthen the country’s technological ecosystem, supporting future industrial digitization and smart economy initiatives.
The 5G introduction is expected to accelerate automation, digital commerce, and next-generation communication services, helping Pakistan move closer to regional telecom advancement standards.
Prior to the auction, PTA is expected to release the list of qualified bidders on 3 March 2026. Applications have reportedly been received from major telecom operators, including Pakistan Mobile Communications Limited and CMPak Limited.
Pakistan currently operates on approximately 274 MHz of cellular spectrum, which is considered relatively low compared to the country’s rapidly expanding mobile user base exceeding 240 million subscribers.
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