Pakistan has taken a historic step toward 5G connectivity. On December 23, 2025, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, approved recommendations for the country’s largest‑ever spectrum auction. This decision clears the way for Pakistan’s first commercial rollout of 5G services, marking a milestone in the Digital Pakistan journey.
What Was Approved?
- The ECC endorsed proposals from the Spectrum Advisory Committee after consultations with stakeholders, including the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
- Nearly 600 MHz of new spectrum will be auctioned, in addition to the 274 MHz already in use.
- For the first time, all frequency bands except 1800 MHz and 2300 MHz will be auctioned.
- The auction is expected to be completed by late January or early February 2026.
Why This Matters
Finance Minister Aurangzeb called the auction an “important enabler” for Digital Pakistan, designed with a Pakistan‑first approach. The pricing and payment structures aim to balance government revenue with the telecom sector’s ability to invest in network expansion.
Federal IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja added that this approval removes a critical policy hurdle. Once the federal cabinet gives final clearance, the PTA will issue an Information Memorandum to begin formal consultations with telecom operators.
Current Internet Challenges
- Pakistan’s 240 million users currently share just 274 MHz of spectrum, far below regional peers.
- Limited spectrum availability is a major reason for poor internet quality.
- Less than 5% of the country is fibreised, creating bottlenecks for high‑speed connectivity.
How the Auction Will Help
The additional spectrum will:
- Reduce congestion in existing 3G and 4G networks.
- Enable the introduction of 5G services for the first time.
- Improve average internet speeds to 100 Mbps over the next five years.
- Support Pakistan’s Connect 2030 plan, which aims to boost international connectivity rankings within three years.
- Encourage investment by abolishing Right of Way charges for fibre infrastructure.
5G Rollout Obligations
Winning bidders will be required to:
- Begin network deployment within 4–6 months.
- Ensure coverage in major urban centers first, before expanding nationwide.
- Align rollout with the Digital Nation Pakistan Act and Connect 2030 vision.
5G vs Current Spectrum Situation
| Feature | Current (4G/Existing Spectrum) | Future (5G with New Auction) |
|---|---|---|
| Spectrum Available | 274 MHz | 874 MHz (largest in history) |
| Internet Speeds | Up to 100 Mbps | Up to 10 Gbps |
| Latency | ~50 ms | ~1 ms |
| Fibre Coverage | Expansion encouraged | |
| Economic Impact | Limited | Significant growth potential |
Conclusion
The ECC’s approval of Pakistan’s largest spectrum auction is a game‑changing breakthrough. By unlocking 600 MHz of new spectrum, Pakistan is finally ready to introduce commercial 5G services. This move will reduce network congestion, improve internet quality, and accelerate the country’s digital transformation under the Digital Pakistan initiative.
With rollout obligations in place, citizens can expect 5G services within months of the auction, opening doors to faster connectivity, smarter cities, and new opportunities for businesses and youth.
