Pakistan’s Frequency Allocation Board (FAB) has announced major progress in preparing for the country’s next-generation mobile services (NGMS) and 5G auction, freeing up large portions of spectrum for commercial use.
In coordination with the defense forces, FAB has released parts of the highly valuable 700 MHz band and the high-capacity 2300 MHz band, while also securing 285 MHz in the 3500 MHz mid-band by re-farming WLL services. These bands are globally recognized as key enablers for 5G.
To ensure spectrum quality, FAB conducted nationwide monitoring surveys to detect unauthorized use and interference, shutting down dozens of illegal links identified by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). Cross-border surveys and consultations with India, Afghanistan, Iran, Oman, and the UAE were also carried out to minimize spillover and harmonize frequencies.
At its 50th meeting, the Board approved multiple frequency bands for the upcoming 5G auction:
- 700 MHz (2×15 MHz)
- 1800 MHz (2×3.6 MHz)
- 2100 MHz (2×20 MHz)
- 2300 MHz (50 MHz)
- 2600 MHz (194 MHz)
- 3500 MHz (285 MHz)
- 24 GHz (3.082 GHz)
- 39 GHz (4 GHz)
In total, 606 MHz of spectrum has been cleared for auction, though 161.6 MHz remains under litigation. The largest disputed portion is 140 MHz in the 2600 MHz band — considered prime globally for both 4G and 5G. Ongoing court cases in the 2100 MHz and 1800 MHz bands are also delaying availability.
The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT), FAB, and PTA informed Parliament that the Advisory Committee on Spectrum Auction is focusing on resolving two key challenges before Pakistan’s 5G rollout:
- The finalization of the PTCL–Telenor merger.
- The resolution of pending litigation in the 2600 MHz band.
The committee has urged a swift resolution in the national interest to accelerate Pakistan’s entry into the 5G era.
