The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has released important details about the upcoming Next Generation Mobile Services auction, commonly referred to as the 5G auction. Scheduled for 2026, the auction is a major step toward expanding advanced mobile connectivity and strengthening Pakistan’s digital infrastructure nationwide.
According to the Information Memorandum issued by PTA, a total of 597.2 megahertz of spectrum below the 6 GHz range will be offered to mobile operators. The spectrum will be auctioned through a structured multi-band process designed to ensure transparency, competition, and efficient allocation of frequencies across the telecom sector.
The auction will cover six frequency bands, including 700 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2600 MHz, and 3500 MHz. Both Frequency Division Duplex and Time Division Duplex bands will be included, allowing operators flexibility in network planning and deployment for both 4G expansion and future 5G services.
PTA stated that several frequency bands will be offered to cellular operators in Pakistan for the first time. These include the 700 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2600 MHz, and 3500 MHz bands, which are considered crucial for wider coverage, higher data speeds, and improved network capacity across urban and rural areas.
The authority has divided the total spectrum into 62 lots of varying sizes. The 700 MHz band will have three lots of 2×5 MHz, while the 1800 MHz band includes three lots of 2×1.2 MHz. The 2100 MHz band will be offered in four lots of 2×5 MHz, whereas the TDD bands include five lots in 2300 MHz, nineteen in 2600 MHz, and twenty-eight in the 3500 MHz band.
To ensure fair competition, PTA has imposed strict spectrum caps on bidders. The overall acquisition limit is set at 348.5 MHz, with a separate low-band cap of 55 MHz. Additional band-specific limits apply to prevent monopolisation and promote efficient spectrum use. PTA said this auction framework is designed to support healthy competition while enabling operators to roll out 5G services across Pakistan.
Also read: Pakistan Struggles With 5G Rollout Due to Spectrum Shortages
