Pakistan to Auction Over 200% Additional Spectrum to Boost Internet Capacity, The federal government has announced plans to auction more than 200% additional telecom spectrum in a bid to enhance internet capacity and meet surging data demand across the country.
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According to Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja, the existing spectrum allocation of 274 MHz is insufficient to support Pakistan’s rapidly increasing mobile data usage, which remains among the lowest in the region.
The government plans to release around 600 MHz of additional spectrum for Cellular Mobile Operators (CMOs) spread across major frequency bands, including 700, 1800, 2100, 2300, 2600, and 3500 MHz. The upcoming auction — which will more than double the currently assigned spectrum — is expected to take place soon after regulatory and policy approvals are finalized.
Addressing Connectivity Challenges:
Minister Khawaja acknowledged ongoing service quality complaints in parts of the country, citing causes such as peak-hour congestion, limited fiberization, backhaul constraints, power outages, and geographic challenges. The additional spectrum is expected to help alleviate network congestion, improve backhaul efficiency, and enhance broadband speeds, particularly in high-demand and underserved areas.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) will continue monitoring service quality through regulatory oversight and complaint surveys to ensure operators meet their license obligations.
Next Generation Services and 5G Preparations:
Industry insiders and recent reports suggest that the expanded spectrum auction could serve as a critical foundation for Pakistan’s 5G rollout, which regulators and operators have been preparing for in recent months.
Recent regulatory directives also indicate that the auction will cover key frequency bands associated with next-generation mobile services, with major telcos expected to participate.
The spectrum sale is seen as a turning point for Pakistan’s digital infrastructure, with telecom executives and analysts anticipating reduced congestion and improved data speeds once the additional bandwidth is deployed.
