In a significant development for Pakistan’s digital future, the country is set to conduct its long-awaited 5G spectrum auction by June 2025, with the commercial rollout anticipated by late 2025 or early 2026. This announcement was made by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman, Major General (Retired) Hafeez Ur Rehman, during a Regulatory Masterclass event titled “5G and Beyond: Shaping the Future of Connectivity,” held in collaboration with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.
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During the opening session, notable discussions were led by Major General Dr. Saleem Ahmed Khan (Retired) and Dr. Anab Khan, who shed light on the current landscape of clinical trials in Pakistan.
Addressing the audience, Minister of State for IT, Shaza Fatima, highlighted the challenges and opportunities in Pakistan’s internet usage. She noted that Pakistan is poised to offer the spectrum by May or June and emphasized that over half of the country currently operates on 274 MHz spectrum.
Minister Fatima also pointed out the recent connection of the world’s largest internet cable to Pakistan, underscoring the government’s commitment to enhancing connectivity. She assured that better connectivity would make Pakistan a favorable destination for internet-related activities and mentioned that efforts were underway to connect Central Asia via the Wakhan Border.
In her speech, Minister Fatima said, “We are working to improve connectivity in Pakistan to meet the Prime Minister’s target of achieving $25 billion in IT exports, and we aim to elevate our IT exports from $3.2 billion to $15 billion.”
The PTA chairman reiterated that 2025 would be a transformative year for Pakistan’s telecom sector, with 5G paving the way for enhanced digital infrastructure and connectivity. He affirmed the government’s commitment to addressing industry challenges, such as low Average Revenue Per User (ARPU), spectrum pricing, and payment in U.S. dollars.
Additionally, the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication has initiated the formulation of a National Fiberization Plan, aiming to enhance the country’s digital highways and improve overall connectivity. The hiring process for a consultant is already underway.
The chairman emphasized the importance of robust digital infrastructure and widespread fiber-optic expansion for the successful implementation of 5G. He highlighted that better connectivity would boost Pakistan’s digital transformation and enable a seamless rollout of next-generation technologies.
As the 5G spectrum auction approaches, telecom operators and industry stakeholders are gearing up for a new era of connectivity that promises to revolutionize Pakistan’s digital landscape.
