PTA launches 5G spectrum auction plan in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Taking a major step towards the launch of 5G service in the country, PTA has issued an information memorandum for the auction of 5G spectrum.

PTA has issued the information memorandum in light of the federal government’s policy directive, which includes important terms and conditions related to the auction of 5G spectrum.

According to PTA, each telecom operator will be required to set up 1,000 new work sites every year. In the first phase, 5G will be launched in the federal capital and the four provincial capitals. Telecom companies will be required to migrate 10 percent of the existing towers in the federal capital and the four provincial capitals to 5G.

In the information memorandum, the minimum speed of 4G has been increased from 4 Mbps to 20 Mbps, and companies will be required to increase the internet speed from 4 Mbps to 10 Mbps in the first year.

The minimum speed for 5G has been set at 50 Mbps, PTA says that 5G service will be expanded rapidly in big cities, companies can submit proposals on the information memorandum to PTA in 20 days, and the final information memorandum will be issued after 26.

A total of 597.2 MHz spectrum in 6 bands will be offered for auction for 5G, 30 MHz spectrum will be auctioned in the 700 MHz band, 7.2 MHz spectrum will be auctioned in the 1800 MHz band, and 40 MHz spectrum will be auctioned in the 2100 MHz band.

50 MHz of spectrum will be auctioned in the 2300 MHz band, 190 MHz of spectrum will be auctioned in the 2600 MHz band, while 280 MHz of spectrum will be auctioned in the 3500 MHz band.