Pakistan’s much-awaited 5G Auction has been delayed after the Spectrum Advisory Committee (SAC) failed to meet its December deadline. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has now instructed that the auction be held in the first quarter of next year.
The delay became clear during a closed-door SAC meeting on Friday. The US-based consultancy firm NERA (National Economic Research Associates Inc.) presented its final report on the auction framework. The meeting was chaired by the Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue and attended only by core committee members.
Senior officials present included the Federal Ministers for IT and Telecom, Science and Technology, and Industries and Production. Secretaries from key divisions, the PTA chairman, the Frequency Allocation Board (FAB) executive director, and representatives from GHQ and ISI also attended.
During the briefing, FAB revealed it had identified 606 MHz of new spectrum across six major bands: 700, 1800, 2100, 2300, 2600, and 3500 MHz. This represents a more than 200% increase compared to Pakistan’s existing spectrum. Officials say the expansion will boost the 5G Auction and accelerate the country’s digital transformation.
NERA’s report outlined key recommendations, including auction design, methodology, base price, duration, and other terms and conditions. SAC will now hold further internal discussions before forwarding the plan to the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) and the federal cabinet for approval.
Once approvals are completed, the new date for the 5G Auction will be officially announced. Authorities say the revised timeline is designed to ensure a smooth and transparent auction process.
In other related news also read Pakistan Unlikely to Receive 5G Services Anytime Soon
Experts note that the expanded spectrum and planned auction will strengthen Pakistan’s digital infrastructure and improve nationwide internet access. The government remains committed to a fair and efficient 5G Auction that meets international standards.
