On February 26, the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecom convened to address key issues, including the upcoming 5G spectrum auction and the operational status of the nation’s web monitoring system. The session debunked rumors of a firewall shutdown ahead of the 5G spectrum auction.
During the meeting, Zarar Hashim Khan, the secretary of the Ministry of Information Technology, said that PTA’s web monitoring system was “fully operational.”
The session, chaired by Syed Aminul Haque, delved into various topics, including clarification from Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Hafeezur Rehman on the web monitoring system. Rehman emphasized that the web monitoring system, often colloquially termed a firewall, has not only been operational since 2006 but has also undergone multiple upgrades, the latest in 2023.
The discussions further extended to the 5G spectrum auction scheduled for March 10. The PTA has established a control room at its headquarters and set February 27 as the deadline for bid submissions. All major telecom operators, having each deposited a $15 million pre-bid guarantee, are set to participate. The auction aims to release 597 MHz of spectrum, enhancing not only 5G but also existing 4G coverage across Pakistan.
