Major cities to receive first rollout while regulator promises stronger digital connectivity
Islamabad: Pakistan is preparing to enter the 5G era as the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) plans to hold the country’s long-awaited 5G spectrum auction on Tuesday.
According to ARY News, the launch will mark the beginning of high-speed mobile connectivity across the country. Initially, telecom operators will roll out 5G services in major urban centres, including Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad.
However, the PTA said the transition will not only introduce faster internet speeds but will also improve the quality and performance of existing 4G services nationwide.
The authority has completed all arrangements for the auction of 600 MHz of spectrum. Moreover, officials said the entire bidding process will be broadcast live to ensure transparency.
To further safeguard fairness, the regulator will use specialised auction software designed to maintain the integrity of the bidding process. Representatives from major telecom companies recently observed testing of the system.
Meanwhile, the PTA has introduced measures to strengthen telecom infrastructure development. Notably, the regulator reduced the “Right of Way” rate from Rs36,000 to zero to encourage network expansion.
At present, Pakistan has 274 MHz of spectrum available for telecom use. Additionally, the authority has set a mandatory requirement for operators to purchase at least 100 MHz during the auction.
New MVNO policy aims to boost competition in telecom market
Meanwhile, the government has also approved a new Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO) Policy Framework to expand competition in Pakistan’s telecom sector.
Under this framework, companies will be allowed to offer mobile services without building their own telecom infrastructure. Instead, these operators will lease network capacity from existing Mobile Network Operators while marketing services under their own brand names.
As a result, consumers may soon see new mobile service brands in the market, even though they rely on existing networks.
Officials expect the policy to increase competition, provide more choices to consumers, and encourage innovative mobile service packages.
