Pakistan to hold 5G spectrum auction in Ramadan 2026

The Pakistan government has announced that the 5G spectrum auction will take place during Ramadan 2026. The government plans to launch 5G services in major cities within six months of the auction.

Federal Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima stated that following the 5G auction, 3G and 4G services are also expected to experience significant improvements. She added that the government aims to complete the auction by the end of February.

According to the minister, improvements in 3G and 4G networks will be visible within three to four months after the auction. At the same time, efforts are underway to roll out 5G services in major cities within six months.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is consulting stakeholders on service quality standards and rollout conditions, while telecom companies are finalizing their preparations for the auction.

In Islamabad, the minister said all companies have been given three weeks to complete the process, and the information memorandum will be finalized in the first week of February.

To make digital access more affordable, the government is finalizing a Smartphones for All Policy. She also mentioned that 100,000 laptops are distributed to students each year, and Google has started assembling Chromebooks in Pakistan, a move expected to boost local manufacturing.

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