The Auction Advisory Committee has approved March 10, 2026, as the new date for Pakistan’s long-awaited 5G spectrum auction, replacing the earlier schedule of February 26, 2026 set by the government. The revision was finalized during a high-level meeting held to reassess the auction framework, timelines, and feedback received from stakeholders regarding Next Generation Mobile Services.
The meeting was chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and attended by Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja, along with senior representatives from relevant ministries and regulatory authorities. During the session, the committee reviewed overall readiness for the 5G auction, including spectrum availability, auction structure, and key procedural steps. Based on these assessments, minor adjustments were approved to ensure the process concludes smoothly within the updated timeline.
As per the revised roadmap, the Information Memorandum (IM) was issued on January 9, 2026, officially launching the consultation phase. This consultation period has now been extended until February 6, 2026, allowing stakeholders additional time to submit feedback. The Final Information Memorandum will be released on February 13, followed by an information session for potential bidders on February 16. Applications, along with the mandatory pre-bid deposit, must be submitted by February 27 at 4:00 pm PST. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) will announce the list of applicants on the same day, while qualified bidders will be confirmed by March 3.
The 5G auction will include spectrum across low, mid, and high frequency bands to support nationwide deployment. These are expected to include paired bands in 700 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 2100 MHz, as well as unpaired bands in 2300 MHz, 2600 MHz, and the internationally favored 3500 MHz band. In total, approximately 597.2 MHz of spectrum is planned for auction.
Officials described the 5G auction as a major milestone for Pakistan’s digital future, enabling faster speeds, reduced latency, and advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, smart cities, industrial automation, and next-generation digital services. After spectrum allocation beginning March 10, the assignment phase will follow, with provisional results announced thereafter. Successful bidders must submit performance bank guarantees within 15 working days, while commercial 5G services are expected to launch within six to seven months, subject to regulatory and network readiness.
