5G Launching in Pakistan: Govt Issues Base-Price and Policy Directive to PTA
Pakistan is getting ready to start 5G internet, which is the newest and fastest mobile internet technology in the world. For a long time, people in Pakistan have been using 3G and 4G internet on their mobile phones.
5G is much faster than 4G. It helps people download videos quickly, play online games without delay, and use the internet more smoothly. It is not only useful for mobile phones, but also for schools, hospitals, businesses, and smart cities.
5G Announced Date
The Government of Pakistan has officially said that 5G will be launched after a spectrum auction, which is planned for early 2026. A spectrum auction means the government will sell special internet frequencies to mobile companies. These frequencies are needed to run 5G networks.
Once the auction is complete, mobile companies will start setting up 5G networks in big cities like Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and other major areas.
What Will Happen Next?
The next step is the 5G spectrum auction, expected in early 2026. After that:
- Mobile companies will upgrade their networks
- 5G services will start in major cities
- Later, it will spread to other areas
At first, not everyone may have 5G phones, but over time more people will be able to use it.
Base Prices & Policy for Pakistan’s 5G Spectrum Auction
The federal government has officially announced the base prices and available spectrum for Pakistan’s upcoming 5G auction. A formal policy directive has been issued through the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication after approval from the auction supervisory committee, which is headed by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb.
According to the directive, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) will oversee the auction through an open, transparent, and competitive process. The auction will cover six different frequency bands to support next-generation mobile services.
The government has made available a total of 15 MHz of paired spectrum in the 700 MHz band, 36 MHz in the 1800 MHz band, and 20 MHz in the 2100 MHz band. In addition, unpaired spectrum will be offered in three bands: 50 MHz in the 2300 MHz band, 190 MHz in the 2600 MHz band, and 280 MHz in the 3500 MHz band.
For pricing, the base price of 1 MHz paired spectrum in the 700 MHz band has been set at 6.5 million US dollars. In both the 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz bands, the base price per 1 MHz paired spectrum is fixed at 14 million dollars. For unpaired spectrum, the base price is 1 million dollars per MHz in the 2300 MHz band, 1.25 million dollars per MHz in the 2600 MHz band, and 0.65 million dollars per MHz in the 3500 MHz band.
Although prices are set in US dollars, the licence fee will be charged in Pakistani rupees. The conversion will be based on the National Bank of Pakistan’s TT selling rate applicable one day before the auction takes place.
Successful bidders will receive spectrum licences valid for 15 years. These licences will also allow spectrum trading and sharing, in line with the approved regulatory framework.
After the auction is completed, all existing cellular mobile operators will be required to follow a spectrum rationalisation plan. This plan, to be issued by the PTA in coordination with the Frequency Allocation Board, will focus on better and more efficient use of contiguous spectrum, particularly in the 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz bands.
The PTA will soon release an Information Memorandum explaining the auction process in detail, including eligibility requirements and participation procedures. The auction will be conducted within a reasonable timeframe after the policy directive’s issuance.
Spectrum allocation will remain technology-neutral, meaning it can be used for current and future mobile technologies. Both existing operators and new companies will be allowed to participate, subject to defined spectrum caps. No operator will be allowed to hold more than 40 percent of the total spectrum after the auction.
Final Thoughts
The launch of 5G in Pakistan is a big step forward. It will bring faster internet, better online services, and new opportunities for the country. Although it may take some time to fully spread, the government’s announcement shows that Pakistan is moving toward a modern digital future.
