The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has successfully concluded the allocation stage of the landmark Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS) / 5G Spectrum Auction, marking a major step toward the rollout of 5G services in Pakistan.
Three qualified operators—Jazz, Ufone, and Zong—participated in the auction, which offered 597.2 MHz of spectrum across six frequency bands: 700, 1800, 2100, 2300, 2600, and 3500 MHz.
The auction was conducted through a secure Electronic Auction System (EAS), with PTA’s control room established at its headquarters in Islamabad.
The process was managed by PTA in collaboration with international consultant NERA Economic Consulting. Operators participated remotely, while the results of each round were publicly announced in the presence of print and electronic media, published on PTA’s website, and broadcast live on Pakistan Television to ensure transparency.
During the allocation stage, a total of 480 MHz of spectrum was sold. Jazz secured 190 MHz, Ufone 180 MHz, and Zong 110 MHz across different bands. The allocation stage concluded after three rounds of bidding.
The Assignment Stage, which will determine the specific frequency positions within each band, is scheduled to take place on Thursday, 12 March 2026.
The auction conclusion ceremony was attended by Attaullah Tarar, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, and Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Minister for IT & Telecom.
The ministers commended PTA for conducting a fair, transparent, and efficient auction, as directed by the Prime Minister, describing it as a significant step toward Pakistan’s digital transformation.
Representatives of the participating operators also appreciated the transparent process and PTA’s collaborative approach.
The auction is expected to accelerate Pakistan’s digital economy, enhance mobile broadband quality, and pave the way for nationwide next-generation 5G services.
