Pakistan’s telecom industry has urged the government to ensure commercially viable conditions in the upcoming spectrum auction, as the country moves towards improving internet speeds and launching 5G services. Operators have highlighted long-standing spectrum shortages, financial constraints, and the need for policies that support sustainable digital growth rather than short-term revenue generation.
On January 2, Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja announced that around 600 megahertz of additional spectrum would be auctioned in the coming weeks. Speaking to the media in Islamabad, she said Pakistan currently runs its entire mobile internet network on just 274MHz of spectrum for a population of nearly 240 million, describing the country as among the most spectrum-constrained in the region.
Telecom operators say spectrum is a core component of digital infrastructure, supporting mobile broadband services that underpin financial technology, freelancing platforms, and digital systems used by schools and hospitals. Despite growing demand for connectivity, limited spectrum availability has contributed to slow internet speeds, service quality issues, and restricted innovation across the economy.
Aamir Ibrahim, chief executive officer of Jazz, said the spectrum auction must reflect the economic realities of the sector. He called for pricing and payment terms in local currency and stressed the importance of a long-term policy approach to enable affordable internet access. He also pointed to low average revenue per user and unstable connectivity as barriers to reinvestment and digital inclusion.
The industry has welcomed the government’s decision to release more than 600MHz of new spectrum, describing it as a foundational step aligned with national digital objectives and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things. Industry statements referencing GSMA analysis warned that delays in releasing new spectrum could lead to significant losses in gross domestic product.
At the same time, operators are strengthening network readiness for 5G. Zong, working with Huawei, has completed Pakistan’s first field test of full-duplex E-band microwave technology. Separately, PTCL confirmed that it and the merged Ufone–Telenor Pakistan entity would participate in the auction, as the sector continues to consolidate under regulatory oversight from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority.
