Key Points
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Pakistan moved from 14th to 7th globally in telecom spectrum ranking
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480 MHz new spectrum added, total reaching around 754 MHz
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Government generated about $507 million from the auction
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has climbed to 7th position among comparable global telecom markets following a major spectrum auction aimed at accelerating the country’s 5G rollout, according to official documents from the IT Ministry.
The International Mobile Telecommunications spectrum auction, concluded on March 10, added 480 MHz of new spectrum across key frequency bands, increasing the country’s total assigned capacity from about 274 MHz to nearly 754 MHz.
The upgrade marks a sharp rise from Pakistan’s previous 14th position and places it ahead of several emerging economies, including Indonesia, Egypt, Turkey, Thailand and Bangladesh in total spectrum availability.
Officials said the auction generated approximately $507 million in revenue, while more than 80 percent of the offered spectrum was successfully allocated.
The strongest demand was seen in the 2300 MHz and 2600 MHz bands, where all available spectrum was sold. The 3500 MHz band, considered critical for 5G, also attracted significant interest, signaling industry readiness for next-generation services.
Three major telecom operators secured spectrum to expand network capacity. Jazz acquired 190 MHz across multiple bands to strengthen nationwide coverage. Ufone obtained 180 MHz, including a strong position in the 3500 MHz band for high-capacity 5G deployment. Zong secured 110 MHz, focusing on mid-band spectrum to enhance broadband performance.
At the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority headquarters, officials oversaw the auction process with international consultancy support from NERA Economic Consulting, ensuring compliance with global standards.
Despite the progress, Pakistan still trails advanced digital economies. Countries such as Japan and Saudi Arabia have assigned more than 1.3 GHz of spectrum, while China, Brazil and the Philippines remain ahead.
However, analysts say the latest expansion significantly narrows the gap and strengthens Pakistan’s position in the global telecom landscape.
The additional spectrum is expected to improve network quality, increase internet speeds and support the growth of digital services, including artificial intelligence, fintech and e-commerce.
Early technical indicators are already emerging. In Islamabad, pre-launch 5G testing by local operators has recorded peak download speeds exceeding 1,400 Mbps, reflecting the infrastructure readiness for high-capacity networks.
With the latest auction, Pakistan’s telecom sector is now better positioned to support nationwide 5G deployment under the government’s Digital Nation initiative, although further spectrum releases may be required to match leading global benchmarks.
