Islamabad, Apr 9, 2025: Mobile data usage in Pakistan has surged, with the average user consuming 8.5 gigabytes per month.
This growth underscores the country’s increasing dependence on mobile broadband.
With the number of mobile subscribers reaching 193.4 million, the government is preparing for a crucial spectrum auction aimed at boosting broadband capacity and paving the way for next-generation mobile technologies.
In a recent statement to the National Assembly, Information Technology and Telecommunication Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja shared that the Frequency Allocation Board (FAB) has released an additional 567 MHz of spectrum across six bands—700, 1800, 2100, 2300, 2600, and 3500 MHz. This marks a more than 200% increase in the available spectrum compared to current levels.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has enlisted the global consultancy NERA to aid in the auction process, guide policy reforms, and determine the commercial value of the spectrum based on global standards.
The upcoming auction is designed to attract investments and ensure the long-term viability of Pakistan’s telecom industry.
NERA’s role includes assessing the financial health of mobile operators, recommending fair spectrum pricing, and proposing reforms to foster broadband expansion and competition.
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The authorities will assign the spectrum in a technology-neutral manner, granting telecom companies the flexibility to deploy both 4G and 5G services.
Minister Shaza Fatima also revealed that the auction will grant licenses with annual rollout obligations.
These obligations may focus on specific population segments in each province or follow global models, such as phased rollouts starting from major urban centers.
The goal is to guarantee nationwide network expansion and improved service quality.
While the government is moving ahead with telecom reforms, challenges such as ongoing legal disputes over spectrum rights and delays in the PTCL (Ufone) and Telenor merger are still present.
The Attorney General of Pakistan, the Ministry of Law and Justice, and the Advisory Committee support the government in actively working to resolve these issues, ensuring the auction process stays on schedule and maintains policy continuity.
