Pakistan conducts ‘world’s largest’ spectrum auction: Shaza

ISLAMABAD, Mar 19 (APP):Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja on Thursday said Pakistan has conducted the world’s largest spectrum auction, positioning itself as a regional leader in the telecom sector.

Addressing the 5G Digital Nation Pakistan Spectrum Licensing Ceremony, the minister said that 480 MHz of additional spectrum has been added, increasing the total available spectrum from 274 MHz and marking a significant leap for the country’s telecommunications industry.

She added that the limited spectrum in recent years had strained network performance. “I have always said that we are running an eight-lane vehicle on a two-lane road.”

She said that this had resulted in poor internet experience and widespread consumer and industry complaints.
“With this addition, Pakistan has not only improved its capacity but also conducted what has been described as the world’s largest spectrum auction, making the country a regional leader,” she said.

The minister further said that, following the auction, the responsibility now shifts to telecom operators—including Zong, Ufone, and Jazz—to meet quality-of-service and rollout obligations and ensure improved connectivity nationwide.
Highlighting the government’s vision, she credited the prime minister’s leadership for prioritising digital transformation early on.

She recalled the initiatives such as e-learning centres, e-libraries, e-employment, and e-facilitation centres in Punjab as foundational steps toward building a digital economy.

Shaza Fatima said the successful auction was the result of coordinated efforts among multiple stakeholders, including the finance ministry, advisory committees, technical teams, international consultants, and the private sector, ensuring transparency and efficiency throughout the process.

Recalling earlier milestones, she said Pakistan’s telecom journey had been strengthened with the introduction of 3G and 4G services during the tenure of former prime minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, noting that these steps helped prevent the country from lagging behind in technological advancement.

Looking ahead, she expressed confidence that 5G services would be introduced in the coming months, alongside further improvements in 4G coverage, ushering in a new era of digital connectivity and economic growth.

On the occasion, Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Maj Gen (Retd) Hafeez-ur-Rehman, said Pakistan achieved a major milestone by conducting its largest-ever spectrum auction, generating over $510 million.

He added that Pakistan’s mobile services began in the early 1990s, with initial spectrum allocations made administratively rather than through competitive bidding. A total of 136 MHz was allocated in 1992 and 2004, followed by four auctions between 2004 and 2025, through which 138 MHz was distributed among operators.

He said the 2026 auction marked a significant leap, offering 480 MHz of spectrum in a single round—the highest in the country’s history—bringing total available spectrum to approximately 756 MHz and placing Pakistan at the top position in the region in terms of spectrum availability.

Providing further details, he said Zong acquired 110 MHz, Ufone secured 180 MHz, and Jazz obtained 190 MHz. The auction was conducted under the advisory committee of the finance minister, with 11 meetings held to ensure consensus and transparency.

The process was carried out in two phases on March 10 and March 12. The first phase involved allocation across different bands through auction software, broadcast live for transparency, while the second phase focused on assignment within the 3500 MHz band, generating an additional $3 million and increasing total proceeds to $510 million.

The PTA chairman said international organisations, including the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), GSMA, and Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT), acknowledged the transparency of the process, describing it as among the best they had observed.

He added that the auction would significantly improve internet services, with new licence conditions raising minimum 4G speeds from 4 Mbps to 20 Mbps, while 5G services are expected to begin at around 50 Mbps.

Hafeez-ur-Rehman said telecom operators have already conducted initial 5G trials, and commercial roll-out is expected soon after licence formalities are completed.

He expressed confidence that enhanced spectrum availability and improved infrastructure would address connectivity challenges and deliver better services to consumers nationwide.