Pakistan Confirms 5G Auction for March 10, 2026 as PTA Releases Final Framework

Pakistan has taken another major step toward launching next-generation mobile services, as the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) officially released the final Information Memorandum for the country’s long-awaited 5G spectrum auction.

The updated document comes after a consultation process with telecom operators and industry experts. While PTA reviewed feedback and clarified certain technical aspects, it retained the main policy structure. Core elements such as spectrum pricing, payment structure, rollout commitments, and quality of service requirements remain largely unchanged. Only minor technical refinements were introduced to address ambiguities raised during stakeholder discussions.

Consultation Process Concludes

The draft Information Memorandum was initially published on January 9, initiating formal consultations. After concluding stakeholder discussions on February 6, PTA spent approximately one week reviewing submissions and finalizing responses before issuing the updated framework.

Officials confirmed that the overall auction design and regulatory obligations remain consistent with the earlier proposal, signaling regulatory stability ahead of the bidding process.

Spectrum on Offer: 597.2 MHz Across Multiple Bands

Under the approved plan, approximately 597.2 MHz of spectrum will be made available across low-, mid-, and high-frequency bands. The offering includes:

Paired spectrum: 700 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 2100 MHz
Unpaired spectrum: 2300 MHz, 2600 MHz, and 3500 MHz

This multi-band approach is designed to support both wide-area coverage and high-capacity urban deployments, enabling nationwide 5G expansion.

Key Dates for the Auction

PTA has set a clear timeline leading up to the auction:

February 16: Information session for prospective bidders
February 27 (4:00 pm PST): Application and pre-bid deposit deadline
February 27: Publication of applicant list
March 3: Announcement of qualified bidders
March 10, 2026: Allocation stage of the auction begins

Following the allocation, the assignment stage and provisional results will be issued.

5G Rollout Timeline

Commercial 5G services are expected to begin within six to seven months of license issuance. The rollout timeline will depend on regulatory approvals, network preparedness, and operators’ infrastructure deployment plans.

With the final framework now in place, Pakistan moves closer to introducing 5G services, marking a significant milestone in the country’s digital transformation journey.