The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the Ministry of Information Technology & Telecommunication (MoIT&T) have issued a policy directive regarding the upcoming auction of radio frequency spectrum for Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS). This move is designed to accelerate the rollout of 5G technologies and improve digital transformation across the country.
Key Spectrum Allocations
The auction includes spectrum across several critical bands to ensure both coverage and capacity:
- 700 MHz: 15 MHz (paired)
- 1800 MHz & 2100 MHz: Paired spectrum for network rationalization
- 2300 MHz, 2600 MHz, & 3500 MHz: Significant unpaired blocks for high-capacity 5G services
Impact for Manufacturers and Operators
The directive introduces several measures that will directly affect the hardware ecosystem and infrastructure requirements:
- Technology-Neutral Licensing: Spectrum assignments will allow for the deployment of any advanced mobile technology, including 5G.
- Equipment Incentives: To facilitate rapid adoption, the government has proposed the duty-free import of 5G equipment.
- Local Manufacturing: There is a strong emphasis on promoting the local assembly and manufacturing of 5G-ready smartphones and radio equipment.
- Enhanced Quality of Service: New licenses will incorporate stricter Quality of Service (QoS) benchmarks and phased network rollout obligations.
The Information Memorandum (IM) containing the detailed auction procedures and specific technical eligibility criteria was released on 09 January 2026. Stakeholders should review the spectrum caps and rationalization plans to ensure compliance with the new framework.
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