PTA Hiring An International Consultant To Facilitate Rollout Of 5G Technology

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has taken substantial strides towards the 5G services launch in Pakistan. Recently, it received approval from the Frequency Allocation Board (FAB) regarding the allocation of spectrum. According to the latest reports, PTA has also begun the hiring process for an international consultant to facilitate the rollout of 5G technology.

The authority has even shared the Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the consultant with the MoIT&T. It will subsequently collaborate with the Ministry of Finance to solicit input before concluding the hiring process. Sources claim that PTA will advertise the ToRs to begin the selection of an international consultant for the 5G rollout once the essential approvals are obtained.

PTA Initiates Hiring Process For International Consultant

According to the sources within the IT Ministry, the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) has announced a deadline for the launch of 5G services in the first quarter of 2025. This directive highlights the urgency to speed up preparations for the 5G rollout in Pakistan.

It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan has the necessary resources for 5G deployment. The spectrum allocation across different ITU bands dedicated for the Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS) auction includes bands such as 700, 2100, 2300, 2600, and 3300 MHz. Moreover, the government also holds 30 MHz (2 x 15 MHz) in the 700 MHz band, deemed optimal for 5G services.

PTA has reportedly shared a comprehensive 5G working paper with the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications (MoIT&T) and the Ministry of Finance. The authority underscored technical and regulatory considerations important for a successful launch. Recently, a meeting was held with the auction advisory committee under the caretaker regime, chaired by then Finance Minister Shamshad Akhter. The committee emphasized spectrum allocation for 5G and directed the FAB to allocate the necessary spectrum.

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