The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has officially announced that the Spectrum Auction for Next Generation Mobile Services, including 5G, will be conducted on March 10, 2026. The decision provides long-awaited clarity to the telecom industry and marks a major step toward the commercial rollout of 5G services across Pakistan.
According to the PTA, the finalized auction schedule is the outcome of constructive regulatory coordination and extensive consultations with telecom operators and other stakeholders. The authority stated that these discussions were aimed at ensuring transparency, fairness, and strong participation, while keeping the auction process fully aligned with regulatory and procedural requirements.
PTA emphasized that the confirmed timeline offers sufficient preparation time to telecom operators and prospective bidders. Officials noted that a clear and well-structured schedule is essential for encouraging investment, supporting competition, and ensuring that the auction process remains credible and efficient for all participating parties.
All interested stakeholders have been advised to review the Information Memorandum for NGMS and 5G in Pakistan in detail. PTA also urged bidders to stay informed through updates published on its official website, as further instructions or clarifications related to the auction process may be issued ahead of the scheduled date.
Earlier, the authority had announced that the 5G spectrum auction would be held in the last week of February 2026. However, after further consultations and internal reviews, the auction date was revised to March 10 to allow improved readiness and smoother execution of the process.
Regarding rollout, PTA confirmed that 5G services will be launched in a phased and limited manner initially. Coverage will begin in major cities and high-demand areas, including Islamabad’s Blue Area and F-10, Karachi’s Defence and Clifton, and key commercial hubs in Lahore and other provincial capitals.
Operators will be required to deploy 5G on at least 10 percent of their existing network sites within the first year. PTA stated that where available, 5G speeds will be significantly faster than current networks, while users in non-5G areas will continue to benefit from improved 4G services.
