Mobile data consumption in Pakistan has surged to an average of 8.5 gigabytes per user per month, reflecting the growing reliance on mobile broadband services across the country. With mobile subscribers now totaling 193.4 million, the government is gearing up for a significant spectrum auction aimed at enhancing broadband capacity and supporting next-generation mobile services.
In a written response to the National Assembly, Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja announced that the Frequency Allocation Board (FAB) has made 567 MHz of additional spectrum available across six bands—700, 1800, 2100, 2300, 2600, and 3500 MHz—representing a more than 200% increase over the existing spectrum.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has enlisted the help of global consultancy firm NERA to assist with the auction process, develop policy reforms, and assess the spectrum’s commercial value based on international benchmarks. The upcoming auction is designed to attract investment and improve the long-term sustainability of the telecom sector.
NERA will also evaluate the financial health of mobile operators, recommend fair spectrum pricing, and propose reforms to facilitate broadband expansion and competition. The spectrum will be assigned on a technology-neutral basis, allowing telecom operators the flexibility to deploy both 4G and 5G services.
Minister Shaza Fatima emphasized that licenses awarded through this auction will come with rollout obligations, which will be defined annually. These obligations may target specific population segments in each province or follow internationally recognized models, such as phased rollouts starting in major urban centers. The goal is to ensure consistent network coverage expansion and improved service quality nationwide.
While the government is advancing reforms to bolster telecom sector growth, challenges remain. Ongoing litigation over spectrum rights and delays in the merger of PTCL (Ufone) and Telenor are hindering progress. The government, through the Attorney General of Pakistan, the Ministry of Law and Justice, and the Advisory Committee, is actively working to resolve these issues to keep the auction process on track and ensure policy continuity.
