Pakistan’s much-anticipated 5G spectrum auction is gathering momentum, with deposits totalling $30 million submitted ahead of the February 27 deadline for earnest money payments.
Under the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s (PTA) Information Memorandum, each prospective bidder must deposit $15 million as earnest money to qualify for the auction. The amount will be adjustable against the final licence fee for successful bidders.
With three days remaining before the deadline, industry sources indicate that Jazz is expected to deposit its required amount shortly, making it unlikely that the country’s largest mobile operator would miss what is being viewed as a defining spectrum sale.
The government is targeting proceeds exceeding $634 million from the auction, depending on competition levels and final price discovery during bidding.
A total of 597 MHz of spectrum is being offered, and the PTA has stated that the auction will be considered successful if at least 50 percent of the available spectrum — roughly 300 MHz — is sold.
Officials suggest that participation by three operators would effectively ensure the sale of around 300 MHz, automatically meeting the minimum success threshold.
PTA representatives believe that involvement from at least three cellular mobile operators will foster competitive bidding and reinforce investor confidence in Pakistan’s digital transformation agenda.
The auction, scheduled for March 10, is being closely monitored by policymakers, investors, and industry stakeholders. It is expected to underpin the rollout of next-generation mobile services, including ultra-high-speed broadband, low-latency applications, and advanced enterprise solutions.
With Ufone and Zong already confirmed participants and Jazz likely to join, the competitive landscape of Pakistan’s 5G rollout is rapidly taking shape, positioning the auction as a pivotal moment for the country’s telecom sector and broader digital economy.
