Pakistan Raises $507 Million in Landmark 5G Spectrum Auction

Pakistan generated $507 million in its long-awaited 5G spectrum auction on Tuesday, with three major telecom operators securing frequencies to launch next-generation mobile services across the country.

The auction, conducted by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), resulted in the sale of 480 MHz of spectrum out of a planned 597 MHz, following three rounds of competitive bidding. The successful bidders included Jazz, Zong, and Ufone.

The results were announced by PTA Chairman Hafeez Ur Rehman in the presence of Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja.

According to the PTA, the auction included the sale of two lots in the 700 MHz band, all five lots in the 2300 MHz band, all nineteen lots in the 2600 MHz band, and twenty-two out of twenty-eight lots in the 3500 MHz band, bringing the total spectrum allocation to 480 MHz.

Among the bidders, Jazz emerged as the largest buyer, acquiring 190 MHz of spectrum. Its allocation includes 50 MHz in the 3500 MHz band, 70 MHz in the 2600 MHz band, 50 MHz in the 2300 MHz band, and 20 MHz in the 700 MHz band.

Ufone secured 180 MHz, including 120 MHz in the 3500 MHz band and 60 MHz in the 2600 MHz band, while Zong obtained 110 MHz during the auction.

PTA officials described the event as “a historic and joyous milestone” for Pakistan, emphasizing the country’s progress toward digital transformation. The authority also praised telecom operators for their active participation and for maintaining competitive pricing throughout the bidding process.

The next phase of the auction, scheduled for later this week, will involve assigning specific lots within each frequency band. Operators will internally determine which frequencies they will use in the upper, middle, or lower sections of each band.

Speaking at the event, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja said the auction marked a significant milestone in Pakistan’s telecommunications history and highlighted the transparent nature of the process.

“The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, instructed that every detail of the auction be live and transparent, ensuring public trust,” she said.

She also noted that Pakistan first introduced 3G and 4G services between 2014 and 2016 during the tenure of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, which laid the groundwork for the country’s digital expansion.

“With the 600 MHz spectrum now available, Pakistan moves from being spectrum-starved to meeting regional benchmarks,” she added.

The minister said the newly allocated spectrum would significantly improve internet speeds and connectivity for millions of Pakistanis. Initial 5G services are expected to launch in Islamabad and provincial capitals, marking Pakistan’s entry into the group of countries offering next-generation mobile networks.

Industry representatives also praised the transparency of the auction process. A representative from Zong said the company remained committed to expanding 5G services in collaboration with the government and industry partners.

Officials from Ufone and Jazz also welcomed the outcome, highlighting the availability of a large amount of spectrum and favorable terms that encouraged industry participation.

Jazz CEO Aamir Ibrahim emphasized the importance of the 700 MHz band for improving rural connectivity, stating that the company aims to ensure new technologies benefit the entire country rather than just major cities.

“We want any new technology not only to focus on urban centers but to benefit the whole of Pakistan. The rollout obligations are demanding, but we are committed to delivering better internet services that the country has been waiting for,” he said.

He further announced that 180 Jazz sites will be 5G-ready starting tomorrow, adding: “From tomorrow, 180 Jazz sites will be 5G-ready and waiting for you… We are not going to wait for months — we will be live from the day after tomorrow.”

The successful completion of the auction signals a major step forward in Pakistan’s digital infrastructure and the nationwide rollout of high-speed 5G connectivity.