The Pakistan 5G Auction is moving closer to reality as the Frequency Allocation Board (FAB) makes major progress in freeing up spectrum bands essential for next-generation mobile services (NGMS). According to official details shared with Parliament, over 606 MHz of spectrum has been made available for commercial use, setting the stage for a transformative digital future in Pakistan.
Pakistan 5G Auction Gains Momentum
The FAB, in coordination with the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), has cleared significant frequency bands for the upcoming Pakistan 5G Auction. Through close collaboration with defense forces, portions of the valuable 700 MHz spectrum and the high-capacity 2300 MHz band have been released. Additionally, 285 MHz in the globally adopted 3500 MHz mid-band has been secured by re-farming WLL services.
This spectrum availability is a critical step forward as Pakistan prepares to launch 5G, enabling ultra-fast connectivity, advanced digital services, and supporting the country’s economic and technological growth.
Spectrum Bands Approved for the Pakistan 5G Auction
In its 50th meeting, the FAB approved multiple frequency bands for the forthcoming Pakistan 5G Auction, which include:
- 700 MHz (2×15 MHz)
- 1800 MHz (2×3.6 MHz)
- 2100 MHz (2×20 MHz)
- 2300 MHz (50 MHz)
- 2600 MHz (194 MHz)
- 3500 MHz (285 MHz)
- 24 GHz (3.082 GHz)
- 39 GHz (4 GHz)
In total, 606 MHz of spectrum has been cleared for auction. However, 161.6 MHz remains under litigation, with the most significant portion—140 MHz in the 2600 MHz band—still tied up in court disputes.
Legal Hurdles in the 5G Spectrum
One of the challenges facing the Pakistan 5G Auction is ongoing litigation over prime spectrum bands. The 2600 MHz band, considered the most critical globally for both 4G and 5G, has 140 MHz under dispute. Court cases also remain unresolved in the 2100 MHz and 1800 MHz bands.
These legal hurdles pose delays to operator participation and could affect the speed of the 5G rollout. The Advisory Committee on the spectrum auction has emphasized the need for swift resolution of these disputes to ensure Pakistan does not fall behind in adopting 5G technologies.
Monitoring and Cross-Border Coordination
To ensure spectrum quality ahead of the Pakistan 5G Auction, FAB has conducted nationwide monitoring surveys. These efforts identified dozens of unauthorized links, which were subsequently shut down by the PTA to prevent interference.
Additionally, FAB has initiated cross-border coordination with neighboring countries including India, Afghanistan, Iran, Oman, and the UAE. This step is crucial to minimize spectrum spillover issues and harmonize frequency use, ensuring smooth and interference-free 5G rollouts.
Economic Impact of the Pakistan 5G Auction
The successful Pakistan 5G Auction is expected to have a significant impact on the country’s digital economy. According to GSMA, the adoption of 5G in South Asia could add billions of dollars to regional GDP by 2030. For Pakistan, 5G technology promises to:
- Enhance mobile broadband speeds up to 10 times faster than 4G.
- Enable smart cities, autonomous vehicles, and advanced telemedicine.
- Support the growth of the Internet of Things (IoT), with millions of connected devices.
- Boost productivity in industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, and logistics.
The availability of 606 MHz spectrum positions Pakistan well to meet the rising demand for high-speed mobile internet, which already saw a surge of over 123% in locally manufactured smartphones in July 2025.
Key Challenges Ahead
While progress has been made, the Pakistan 5G Auction still faces hurdles:
- Pending Litigation: Court disputes in key frequency bands must be resolved.
- PTCL–Telenor Merger: The finalization of this merger is crucial before operator participation.
- Infrastructure Readiness: Power supply and fiber optic backhaul remain critical for 5G deployment.
- Affordability: Ensuring that 5G services are accessible to the masses, not just urban elites, is essential for nationwide adoption.
The Pakistan 5G Auction marks a critical milestone in the country’s journey toward digital transformation. With 606 MHz of spectrum freed, Pakistan is on the path to rolling out high-speed, next-generation services that can revolutionize communication, business, and everyday life. However, challenges such as pending litigation and infrastructure gaps must be addressed swiftly to ensure a smooth rollout.
As global trends show, early adoption of 5G brings significant economic benefits, and Pakistan cannot afford to delay. The decisions taken in the coming months will determine how quickly the country can embrace this transformative technology and leverage it for growth, innovation, and global competitiveness.
