5G auction phase two moves to 3500 MHz after 2600 MHz band finalised

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The second phase of Pakistan’s 5G spectrum auction has begun, with bidding now underway for the 3500 MHz band.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has completed the bidding process for the 2600 MHz spectrum band positioning with all the three telecom operators, Jazz, Ufone, and Zong, have confirmed their preferred positions within the band.

The first round of bidding for the 3500 MHz spectrum was scheduled to begin at 12:30 PM, with the results for both 2600 MHz and 3500 MHz bands expected to be announced together once the process is complete.

Operators Maintain Positions Within 2600 MHz band

First Round

The first round of the second phase of the 5G auction has been completed. In the first round, all three companies showed interest in securing band positions within the 2600 MHz spectrum, after which the bidding moved into the second round.

According to officials, the bidding price for positioning in the 2600 MHz band was set at $100,000 in the second round.

Second Round

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) also completed the second round of the second phase of the 5G auction, during which all three telecom operators placed bids for positioning in the 2600 MHz band.

Third Round

After the completion of the second round, the PTA initiated the third round of bidding. All three telecom operators again placed bids for positioning in the 2600 MHz spectrum.

Final Round

In the second phase of the 5G auction, the final round of spectrum bidding has now begun, with bidding launched for the positioning of the 3500 MHz band.

The bidding process was formally initiated by IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, along with the IT Secretary and the chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority.

Also Read: NGMS/5G spectrum auction termed historic milestone for digital transformation

Pakistan Enters 5G Era, Opens Doors for Investment: Shaza Fatima

Speaking on the occasion, IT Minister Shaza Fatima highlighted that the second phase of the 5G spectrum auction is currently underway, opening new opportunities for foreign investment and modernizing the country’s technological infrastructure. “Our economy is stabilizing, and technology is being utilized to its full potential,” she said.

Shaza Fatima emphasized the importance of 5G for national security, stating that the spectrum allows Pakistan to enter new technological frontiers and aligns with the Prime Minister’s Digital Nation vision. She also noted that internet speeds will significantly improve once 5G networks are operational.

The minister recalled that the first phase of the 5G spectrum auction was successfully completed last Tuesday, with 480 MHz out of a total 597 MHz sold. She called it a historic auction, adding that today’s second phase focuses on spectrum band positioning. Previously, Pakistan operated on only 274 MHz of spectrum, placing it among the countries with the least available spectrum. With the current auction, the country’s position has improved to a middle-tier level.

Shaza Fatima stressed that the new technology will benefit youth, agriculture, healthcare, trade, and especially national security, pointing out that cyber operations last year played a crucial role in national defense.

First phase of 5G auction

The first phase of the 5G auction was completed last Tuesday, where 480 MHz out of a total 597 MHz spectrum was sold. According to PTA, all lots in the 2300 MHz and 2600 MHz bands have been booked, while 22 out of 28 lots in the 3500 MHz band were sold.

In the previous auction, Zong purchased 110 MHz, Ufone acquired 180 MHz, and Jazz bought 190 MHz. The first phase generated a total of $507 million in revenue for the regulator.