Pakistan raises $507 million in historic 5G spectrum auction

Pakistan on Tuesday raised $507 million in the much-awaited 5G spectrum auction, selling 480 MHz of spectrum against a target of 597 MHz, as three telecom operators—Jazz, Zong, and Ufone—secured frequencies to roll out next-generation mobile services.

The auction concluded after three rounds, with the results announced by Hafeez Ur Rehman, flanked by Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja.

According to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the auction saw the sale of 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, bringing the total spectrum sold to 480 MHz.

In terms of allocation, Jazz emerged as the largest buyer, securing 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 acquired 180 MHz, including 120 MHz in the 3500 MHz band and 60 MHz in the 2600 MHz band, while Zong secured 110 MHz in the auction.

The PTA chairman described the day as “a historic and joyous milestone” for Pakistan, highlighting the country’s progress in digital transformation.

He also emphasized the collaboration of telecom operators, who actively participated and ensured competitive pricing.

Looking ahead, the chairman said the next stage of the auction, scheduled to be held the day after tomorrow, will involve assigning specific lots within each band. Operators will internally decide which frequencies to take in the upper, middle, or lower segments of each band.

On the occasion, Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja said the auction marked a major milestone in Pakistan’s telecommunications history.

She emphasized that the event was conducted with full transparency, with all bidding processes broadcast live from the control room established by the PTA.

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

The minister praised the contributions of the PTA, industry partners, international consultants, and the Ministry of IT for their roles in facilitating the auction.

She recalled that Pakistan first entered the 3G and 4G era between 2014 and 2016 under the leadership of former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.

“Those earlier auctions laid the foundation for today’s digital progress. With the 600 MHz spectrum now available, Pakistan moves from being spectrum-starved to meeting regional benchmarks,” she added.

Shaza Fatima Khawaja highlighted that the new spectrum would significantly enhance internet speeds and connectivity for millions of Pakistanis, promising improved mobile experiences in the coming months.

She said 5G services initially would be launched in Islamabad and provincial capitals, marking Pakistan’s entry into the list of countries offering next-generation mobile services.

The minister acknowledged the crucial role of the Spectrum Advisory Committee, the Ministry of Finance, and other government institutions in facilitating the auction.

She also commended the media for supporting the live broadcast of the event.

A representative of Zong praised the PTA and the government for conducting the auction transparently.

“This time, Zong has shown its commitment to Pakistan and the government, and like 3G and 4G, we will take steps to roll out 5G in collaboration with Pakistan and the rest of the industry,” he said.

The representative also lauded the guidance provided by Shaza Fatima Khawaja, noting that her policy directives aligned with industry expectations, helped reduce pricing, and facilitated compliance with quality-of-service rollout obligations.

He congratulated the PTA, the industry, and the government on a smooth and successful auction.

Speaking at the event, a Ufone representative expressed gratitude to the Government of Pakistan, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, the finance minister, Federal Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, the PTA chairman, and the entire PTA team for facilitating the auction.

“I have been involved in many spectrum auctions in Pakistan over the past two decades, and I can confidently say that the way this auction was conducted and the government facilitated all stakeholders is unprecedented,” he said.

He added that the auction not only made a substantial amount of spectrum available for the first time but also set favorable terms that ensured maximum participation, benefiting the industry, consumers, and the country.

CEO of JazzWorld Aamir Ibrahim also lauded the government, PTA, and Federal Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja for creating a transparent and industry-friendly process enabling next-generation digital services across Pakistan.

Speaking at the event, he highlighted the significance of the 700 MHz spectrum, which is intended to improve connectivity in rural areas.

“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 also thanked Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif for providing feedback on past auctions and guiding improvements in the current one.

“The terms and conditions of this auction were fair, and the way it was conducted ensures that the benefits reach all citizens. This is a proud moment for Jazz, for our industry, and for Pakistan,” he added.

He said, “From tomorrow, 180 Jazz sites will be 5G-ready and waiting for you,” he said. “We are not going to wait for months — we will be live from the day after tomorrow