Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) will hold the auction for next-generation mobile services (5G) spectrum on March 10, with a projected minimum non-tax revenue of $630.4 million, according to reports that cited senior government officials. 

 

 

The decision follows approval from the Spectrum Advisory Committee. The auction was initially scheduled for late February.

 

 

The Spectrum Advisory Committee met with Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb on Thursday before finalizing the revised timelines. Following the decision, PTA adjusted the pre-auction schedule, extending processes by several weeks and moving the allocation stage to March 10, 2026.

 

 

Under the updated schedule, consultations on the Information Memorandum will conclude by February 6, and the final document will be published on February 13. An information session for prospective bidders is planned for February 16.

 

 

Applications, along with pre-bid deposits, are due by February 27. On the same day, the PTA will announce the list of applicants. Qualified bidders will be announced on March 3, followed by a bidder seminar on March 4 and mock auctions on March 5.

 

 

The assignment stage will begin after the allocation stage closes. Provisional results will be announced once assignments are completed, after which winning bidders must submit performance bank guarantees within 15 business days before licenses are issued.

 

 

The auction will cover spectrum in the 700, 1800, 2100, 2300, 2600, and 3500 MHz bands, under directives from the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication. This release represents the largest spectrum auction to date.

 

 

Base prices have been set in US dollars. The 700 MHz band will be priced at $6.5 million per MHz, 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz at $14 million per MHz each, 2300 MHz at $1 million per MHz, 2600 MHz at $1.25 million per MHz, and 3500 MHz at $0.65 million per MHz. Payments will be made in Pakistani rupees at the prevailing exchange rate of the State Bank of Pakistan.

 

 

Operators can either pay the full license fee by the first anniversary of license issuance or choose deferred payments. Deferred payments require at least 50 percent to be paid by the first anniversary, with the remaining amount divided into five equal annual installments from the second year, with an additional charge of Karachi Interbank Offered Rate  (KIBOR) plus 3 percent.