Major General (R) Hafeezur Rehman, Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), announced the auction date for 5G services during a meeting with the National Assembly Standing Committee on IT and Telecom.

The launch of 5G is targeted for April 2025, as the PTA works to attract companies to the auction, aiming to expand the market and increase competition.

Currently, telecom companies in Pakistan utilize 265 MHz of spectrum. PTA plans to make an additional 567 MHz available for 5G services and is advocating for the government to offer this spectrum at a reduced cost.

The Chairman highlighted the importance of keeping spectrum costs low to benefit local consumers, noting that Saudi Arabia sold its spectrum at $90,000 per megahertz, while Pakistan’s previous 4G spectrum was sold at $29 million per megahertz.

The PTA’s efforts to lower spectrum costs aim to make 5G services more accessible and affordable for the Pakistani population.