ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Tuesday raised $507 million from the 5G spectrum auction in Pakistan, selling 480 MHz of spectrum.
The spectrum auction ceremony was held on Tuesday at a local hotel in Islamabad, in which Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, IT Minister Shaza Fatima, Information Minister Atta Tarar, along with PTA Chairman Major General (retd) Hafeez-ur-Rehman, were present.
According to the details, three telecom operators secured frequencies to roll out next-generation mobile services/5G in five major cities of the country in the next six months. Three rounds of the auction were held.
5G spectrum auction results
Announcing the results, PTA chief Hafeez ur Rehman said that all five lots of 2300 and all 19 lots in the 2600 MHz bands have been sold, while 22 out of 28 lots of 3500 MHz have been sold.
Various telecom companies participated in the auction and bought the spectrum, in which Zong bought 110 MHz, Ufone bought 180 MHz, and Jazz bought 190 MHz, bringing the total spectrum sold to 480 MHz against a target of 597 MHz.
In terms of allocation, Jazz acquired 50 MHz in 3500 MHz, 70 MHz in 2600 MHz, 50 MHz in 2300 MHz, and 20 MHz in 700 MHz.
On the other hand, Ufone secured 120 MHz in 3500 MHz and 60 MHz in 2600 MHz. Zong obtained 110 MHz.
Pakistan’s 5G Auction Result
– Zong Won 110 MGz
– Ufone won 180 MGs
– Jazz Won 190 MGsTotal $507 Million.@ChinaMobile7 @Ufone @jazzpk @MoitOfficial @Financegovpk pic.twitter.com/Y4BFQBGOrW
— Khurram Schehzad (@kschehzad) March 10, 2026
$507 million raised
The Chairman PTA said that a total of $507 million was obtained from this auction, and more will be discussed in this regard in the next phase of the meeting on Thursday. He added that the next stage will involve assigning specific lots within each band.
He described the day as a historic and joyous milestone for Pakistan, highlighting the country’s progress in digital transformation. He also emphasised the collaboration of telecom operators, who actively participated and ensured competitive pricing.
Operators will internally decide which frequencies to take in the upper, middle, or lower segments of each band.
Federal Minister for Information Technology (IT) Shaza Fatima, while addressing the ceremony, said that 5G is being introduced in Pakistan for the first time.
“IT is very important in the modern era that the basis of Pakistan’s economy is the Internet; everyone needs modern internet facilities,” she said.
She emphasised that the auction was conducted with full transparency, with all bidding processes broadcast live from the control room established by the PTA.
The federal minister said that to date, Pakistan has been operating on only 274 MHz spectrum, while today, the largest spectrum auction in the history of Pakistan took place.
