Islamabad: Pakistan has officially launched the auction process for the spectrum required for 5G internet services, marking a significant step toward strengthening the country’s digital infrastructure and telecommunications sector.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, IT Minister Shaza Fatima, and Information Minister Atta Tarar inaugurated the 5G spectrum auction along with Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority Hafeez ur Rehman. During the ceremony, the PTA offered 600 megahertz of spectrum for auction.
The first round of the 5G spectrum auction will last for 60 minutes, and all three eligible telecom companies are participating in the bidding process. Officials say the auction will help expand high speed internet services across the country.
Speaking at the event, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said that the government’s efforts regarding the 5G auction have finally achieved success and that a complete digital ecosystem has been prepared for this purpose. He added that Pakistan is moving toward new technology industries such as blockchain and artificial intelligence.
The finance minister also stated that the spectrum auction will help increase the country’s information technology exports while improving connectivity across the nation, which will benefit businesses and the technology sector.
Addressing the ceremony, IT Minister Shaza Fatima said that until now Pakistan had been operating on only 274 megahertz of spectrum, while today the largest spectrum auction in the country’s history is taking place.
She added that after this development, a noticeable improvement in 4G services is expected and 5G services are likely to become available in major cities within the next six months.
Shaza Fatima further said that the prime minister chairs meetings on the digital economy every 14 days and is personally leading the Digital Nation Pakistan vision. She also acknowledged the important role played by the Special Investment Facilitation Council in freeing and making the spectrum available.
