Govt Speeds Up 5G Spectrum Auction After Advisory Committee Reshuffle

Islamabad 12 August: The government has accelerated plans for a new spectrum auction to expand telecom networks and enable 5G rollout, following changes to the composition of the high-level advisory committee supervising the process.

During a recent meeting, the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication briefed the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) on the urgent need to optimise available frequency spectrum to boost mobile broadband, increase tele-density, and support the 5G roadmap.

Officials noted that Pakistan’s current utilisation of International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) spectrum — particularly in the 700 MHz, 2,300 MHz, 2,600 MHz, and 3,500 MHz bands — remains below global benchmarks.

Past auctions were held in 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2021, allocating bands such as 1,800/2,100 MHz, 1,800 MHz, and 850 MHz to mobile operators. The ministry emphasised that further releases would be conducted under the oversight of the advisory committee, originally formed in November 2023 and reconstituted in June 2024.

The Ministry of Industries and Production had sought inclusion of the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Industries in the body. In response, the IT Division proposed expanding the committee to include the SAPM, along with ministers for IT, telecom, industries and production, and law and justice, to improve coordination.

READ MORE: High Spectrum Costs Hinder Digital Access in Pakistan

Under the revised structure, the federal finance minister chairs the committee, joined by key ministers, senior government officials, and representatives from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the Frequency Allocation Board.

Meanwhile, the GSMA — the global mobile industry association — has cautioned that without swift telecom policy reforms, Pakistan risks lagging behind regional peers in digital growth. GSMA’s Asia-Pacific head, Julian Gorman, cited high taxes, spectrum shortages, and policy inconsistencies as barriers to progress, warning of reduced investment and difficulties for freelancers dependent on stable internet access.