The Pakistan 5G spectrum auction on March 10 has been officially confirmed by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). Services are expected to roll out first in federal and provincial capitals before expanding to other cities.
Speaking at a press briefing in Islamabad, PTA Chairman Hafeez-ur-Rehman said stronger connectivity is essential for achieving the “Digital Pakistan” vision and promoting a cashless economy.
The chairman stated that regulatory and policy reforms have been aligned to support next-generation mobile services. Notably, the government has removed the right-of-way fee, which previously delayed fibre network expansion.
According to PTA, telecom operators are prepared for early deployment. Once licenses are issued, companies are unlikely to delay rollout as they have already developed business and investment plans.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has announced that the “Spectrum Auction for Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS)/5G in Pakistan” will be conducted on 10 March 2026. The finalized schedule follows constructive regulatory coordination and extensive stakeholder… pic.twitter.com/JLIHShFx1v
— PTA (@PTAofficialpk) January 29, 2026Operators have also placed orders for 5G equipment. Meanwhile, local manufacturing of 5G-enabled smartphones has begun, with between 500,000 and 600,000 units produced so far.
While 5G deployment is underway, PTA emphasised that improving 4G quality remains a priority. Around 90% of users currently rely on 4G services.
By efficiently utilising available spectrum bands, the regulator expects significant improvements in service quality. This approach aims to create a positive cycle of better connectivity and higher data usage.
The chairman cited Bangladesh’s experience, noting that operators took several years to fully understand 4G use cases. Pakistan, he said, aims to adopt lessons from regional best practices.
To accelerate deployment, telecom operators have been granted a one-year period to make necessary capital investments without upfront spectrum payments. This measure allows companies to focus on infrastructure and service improvement.
PTA also stated that 5G mobile devices will be available at affordable prices. Plans are in place to offer smartphones through instalment schemes to support wider adoption.
