Pakistan Launches Long-Awaited 5G Spectrum Auction to Boost Digital Economy

5G Services Expected in Major Cities Within Six Months After Spectrum Auction

Pakistan has officially launched its long-awaited 5G spectrum auction, a significant step toward enhancing the country’s digital economy and improving mobile connectivity. The auction is being conducted by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, with three telecom operators taking part in the first bidding round, which is scheduled to run for 60 minutes.

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb stated that the government has established a comprehensive ecosystem to support the rollout of 5G technology. He emphasized that the new network will help accelerate emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, while also strengthening Pakistan’s IT exports. Meanwhile, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja described the launch as a major milestone, stressing that Pakistan cannot afford to lag behind in the global digital transformation.

Officials expect 5G services to start rolling out in major cities within six months, while improvements to existing 4G networks may begin within four to five months. In total, about 600 MHz of spectrum across six frequency bands is being auctioned, including the 700 MHz band for wider rural coverage, 2.6 GHz to enhance 4G capacity, and 3.5 GHz as the primary band for 5G deployment.