Breaking News! Pakistan Targets February 2026 for 5G Spectrum Auction

The Government of Pakistan has set February 2026 as the target month for the auction of 5G spectrum, with plans to launch 5G services within five to six months after the auction. The objective is to introduce next-generation mobile services quickly rather than focusing on short-term revenue generation.

According to official sources, the final decision on the auction model and the base prices of six different spectrum bands will be made by the federal cabinet. After the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) approved the recommendations of the Spectrum Advisory Committee, the Ministry of Information Technology accelerated its preparatory work. A summary for final approval of these recommendations has already been sent to the federal cabinet. The cabinet may approve the plan either in its next meeting or through a circulation summary.

Breaking News! Pakistan Targets February 2026 for 5G Spectrum Auction

Once the cabinet gives its final approval, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) will immediately issue the Information Memorandum for the 5G auction. After the issuance of this document, interested companies will be given 40 to 45 days to prepare. PTA officials have stated that the auction will be completed before 15 February, as the Prime Minister has set this deadline for concluding the entire auction process.

The auction will be conducted openly in the presence of the media, based on predefined base prices. Local telecom operators, including Jazz, Ufone, and Zong, are expected to participate. There is no restriction on foreign companies, and any international operator interested in participating will be allowed to do so.

Several spectrum bands will be offered in the auction. These include 600 MHz, 700 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2600 MHz, and 3500 MHz bands. In the 2600 MHz band, 194 MHz of prime spectrum will be auctioned. PTA has identified the 2600 MHz and 3500 MHz bands as its top priority for the 5G rollout. Overall, the target is to auction more than 300 MHz of spectrum.

PTA officials have explained that each operator requires around 100 MHz of spectrum to improve service quality and effectively launch 5G services. The government’s priority is the rapid deployment of 5G rather than maximizing auction proceeds. Consultants have recommended keeping spectrum prices low so that telecom companies can invest more in network infrastructure. These recommendations are based on a comparison of spectrum prices in 70 countries.

See Also: ECC Clears Way for Pakistan’s 5G Spectrum Auction, Approves Advisory Committee Recommendations

The government is focusing on long-term benefits instead of high upfront prices. Due to the heavy investment required for 5G technology, spectrum prices will be set lower than those of previous auctions. Officials have clarified that comparisons with revenue generated from the 4G spectrum auction are not appropriate, as the market conditions and investment requirements are very different. Each spectrum band will have a separate base price, determined in line with consultant recommendations.

Following the auction, the government aims to launch 5G services in major cities such as Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi, along with other large urban centers, during 2026. In the first year, the target is to increase average internet speeds from around 4 Mbps to 25 Mbps. Over the next five years, the goal is to provide users with at least 100 Mbps internet connectivity.

To support these targets, telecom operators will be given annual goals for installing new towers and increasing tower fiberization. These measures are expected to significantly improve network quality and support the successful rollout of 5G services across the country.