Federal IT Minister Shaza Fatima announced that 5G pilot services will be launched in major Pakistani cities starting next week, with full-scale 5G coverage expected in urban centers over the coming months.
The announcement follows the successful completion of Pakistan’s second phase of the 5G spectrum auction, where telecom operators competed for bandwidth in the 2600 MHz and 3500 MHz bands.
Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja confirmed that a total of 480 MHz of spectrum was sold in the auction, generating projected revenue of $510 million (approximately Rs. 142 billion) for the government. The 2600 MHz band was allocated after three bidding rounds, while the 3500 MHz band concluded in five rounds.
Officials credited the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the Frequency Allocation Board, and other agencies for facilitating the process. The total available spectrum in the country now exceeds 7,500 MHz, effectively tripling Pakistan’s network capacity.
The minister also acknowledged the support of Pakistan Armed Forces, which cleared the spectrum required for deployment, and highlighted the landing of three new submarine cables to further strengthen national connectivity.
PTA Chairman has emphasized that the government has fulfilled its part, and network deployment now rests with telecom operators. The scale of the auction positions Pakistan prominently in the global spectrum landscape, marking one of the largest such events conducted at once.
