Islamabad – Pakistan is grappling with the most severe spectrum shortage in the region, with only 274 MHz of spectrum currently available, according to official documents from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). The country lags significantly behind its regional peers: Saudi Arabia has 1,200 MHz, while Thailand and Bangladesh each have 600 MHz.
The shortage has heightened network congestion and quality-of-service issues, prompting the government to expedite the 5G spectrum auction. The Frequency Allocation Board has already earmarked spectrum for the sale, which is being overseen by an Auction Advisory Committee. PTA began the process in 2023 and hired an international consultant in November 2024 to conduct a market analysis, set valuations, and design the auction framework.
Economic Impact of 5G Spectrum
According to PTA estimates, introducing 5G spectrum could deliver transformative economic benefits:
- Contribute 1.5% to 2.4% growth in GDP.
- Generate 3.1% to 13% more employment opportunities.
- Drive a 2% increase in foreign direct investment (FDI).
- Boost exports by up to 1.9%.
- A 10% rise in mobile broadband penetration could significantly accelerate national economic growth.
Closing the Regional Gap
Globally, 101 countries have already launched commercial 5G services, leaving Pakistan among the few laggards in both regional and international rankings. Currently ranked last among 16 regional countries for spectrum allocation, PTA projects that Pakistan could move up to sixth place following a successful auction.
By addressing the spectrum shortfall, Pakistan aims not only to relieve existing network pressures but also to position itself for next-generation digital growth, unlocking opportunities in smart cities, advanced industries, and digital services.
