Pakistan Held 5G Spectrum Auction Selling 480mhz.

Islamabad; March 2026: Pakistan on 10th March have raised US$507 million in the country’s 5G spectrum auction, selling 480MHz of spectrum against a target of 597MHz. Three operators, Jazz, Zong and Ufone, won frequencies to roll out next-generation mobile services and faster digital connectivity in the country.

The auction took place over three rounds on the same day. The results were announced by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Hafeez Ur Rehman. IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar were also present at the announcement.

The sale included two lots (blocks of radio frequency spectrum) in the 700MHz band, all five lots in the 2300MHz band, all 19 lots in the 2600MHz band, and 22 out of 28 lots in the 3500MHz band.

01 of 03 lots of 700MHz spectrum went unsold, as did 06 of the available 28 lots of 3500MHz spectrum. The entire 1800MHz and 2100MHz spectrum on offer remained unsold.

• Jazz emerged as the largest buyer, securing 190MHz of spectrum, including 50MHz in the 3500MHz band, 70MHz in the 2600MHz, 50MHz in the 2300MHz and 20MHz in the 700MHz.

• Ufone acquired 180MHz, including 120MHz in the 3500MHz band and 60MHz in the 2600MHz band.

• Zong bought 110MHz in the auction, including 50MHz in the 3500MHz band and 60MHz in the 2600MHz band.

The PTA Chairman noted that spectrum scarcity had long been the biggest challenge for Pakistan’s telecom sector and suggested that the country was entering a new technological era with the launch of the auction.

The PTA chief also highlighted an interesting change of policy: Pakistan is to be the first country in Asia to abolish right-of-way (RoW) charges, reducing them from PKR 36,000 (US$ 128.85) per kilometre to nil to facilitate telecom infrastructure expansion and fibre deployment.

The new auction will not only introduce 5G services but should also significantly improve 4G quality. Improvements in 4G services are expected within 4-5 months; 5G services are expected to be launched in major cities within six months.

A reason for recent delays in the auction seems to have been the wait for the PTA to announce its decision on the proposed merger between Ufone 4G and Telenor Pakistan. The acquisition of Telenor Pakistan by Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), the parent company of Ufone, was officially completed on December 31st, 2025. While the entities are now under the same ownership, reports indicate they are set to officially integrate and merge into a single operational entity from 11th March 2026. This consolidation follows regulatory approvals from the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) and is part of broader preparations for Pakistan’s 5G rollout.

Team Maverick.