Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunications Shaza Fatima Khawaja has announced that Pakistan will auction 600 MHz of new spectrum next month to improve mobile broadband quality and enable the country’s first rollout of 5G services. The Economic Coordination Committee has approved the auction process, with completion targeted by late January or early February.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, the minister said Pakistan remains severely constrained in spectrum availability, with telecom operators currently operating on just 274 MHz despite serving a population of around 240 million. She contrasted this with Bangladesh, which offers roughly 600 MHz of spectrum despite having a smaller population.
Khawaja described Pakistan as a “spectrum-starved country,” attributing the shortfall to the absence of major spectrum auctions over many years. She said the upcoming auction would not only enhance 3G and 4G service quality but also mark the first introduction of 5G in Pakistan.
She emphasised that internet connectivity should be treated as critical national infrastructure, playing a central role in economic growth, social development, security, and job creation. The auction aligns with the government’s broader digitisation agenda under the Digital Nation Pakistan Act, 2025.
According to the minister, Pakistan will offer approximately 606 MHz of new spectrum across six bands: 700 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2600 MHz, and 3500 MHz. The 2600 MHz band has been identified as particularly suitable for 5G deployment. The process had previously been delayed due to industry consolidation and legal disputes but is now moving forward.
