On 12 March 2026, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announced the successful conclusion of the Assignment Stage for the Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS) spectrum auction.
This development represents a pivotal milestone in the national roadmap for 5G deployment, establishing the final frequency positions for key network operators and setting the stage for nationwide network planning and rollout.
Key Spectrum Allocations
- 2600 MHz Band: A total of 190 MHz has been allocated between Jazz, Zong, and Ufone, designated for high-capacity 5G services.
- 3500 MHz Band: Identified as a core frequency for 5G, this band has seen significant assignments to Ufone, Jazz, and Zong, with a small portion currently remaining unsold.
Impact on Market Access and Compliance
The finalization of these bands has immediate implications for manufacturers of radio and telecommunications equipment:
- Hardware Compatibility: Manufacturers of cellular handsets and IoT devices must ensure their hardware supports these specific frequency assignments to ensure compatibility with Pakistani 5G infrastructure.
- Interference Mitigation: With the deployment of 5G in the 2600 MHz and 3500 MHz ranges, strict adherence to out-of-band emission limits is critical for Short Range Devices (SRDs) to avoid interference with licensed cellular services.
- Regulatory Strategy: These changes may influence R&D timelines and testing requirements for devices seeking type approval in Pakistan.
Manufacturers are encouraged to review their product portfolios against these new assignments to ensure continued compliance and market readiness.
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