5G spectrum auction plan put into motion

Caretaker Information Technology Minister Dr Umar Saif said on Wednesday that a consultant would soon be appointed through the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to ensure a smooth and efficient auction of the much-anticipated 5G spectrum.

In a statement, the minister said that the federal cabinet had green-lighted the auction of the 5G spectrum and a Spectrum Auction Advisory Committee, led by the finance minister and including members from the IT ministry and the industries ministry, had been established to oversee the process.

“The 5G spectrum is set to make 300 megahertz of spectrum available, with the potential to revolutionise Pakistan's telecommunications landscape,” the minister said. “A consultant will soon be appointed through the PTA to ensure a smooth and efficient spectrum auction process.”

He said that the cabinet had also approved the sharing of telecommunications infrastructure.

“This infrastructure-sharing arrangement will enable telecom companies to install their equipment on each other's towers, optimising their operational and maintenance costs,” Dr Saif said.