Pakistan raises $507 million in 5G spectrum auction

Pakistan raised $507 million in a 5G spectrum auction on Tuesday after telecom operators Jazz, Ufone and Zong secured frequencies to deploy next-generation mobile services and expand digital connectivity.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority sold 480 MHz of spectrum against an available 597 MHz during the auction, which concluded after three bidding rounds.

According to PTA data, the sale included two lots in the 700 MHz band, all five lots in the 2300 MHz band, all 19 lots in the 2600 MHz band and 22 out of 28 lots in the 3500 MHz band.

In spectrum auctions, regulators divide radio frequencies into blocks known as lots and allocate them to telecom operators to provide services such as 3G, 4G and 5G.

Jazz emerged as the largest buyer in the auction, acquiring 190 MHz of spectrum, including 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 of spectrum, including 120 MHz in the 3500 MHz band and 60 MHz in the 2600 MHz band. Zong acquired 110 MHz, consisting of 50 MHz in the 3500 MHz band and 60 MHz in the 2600 MHz band.

Government officials said around 600 MHz spectrum had been made available for the auction and the bidding process was conducted live.

The additional spectrum is expected to improve network capacity and internet quality as telecom operators expand mobile broadband services.

Officials said the auction was aimed at addressing spectrum shortages and supporting expansion of Pakistan’s digital infrastructure.

The initiative was coordinated among several institutions, including the Special Investment Facilitation Council and the Frequency Allocation Board, which helped make additional spectrum available.

The auction ceremony was attended by officials from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of IT and Telecommunication and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority.