5G spectrum auction planned for March 2025

The Standing Committee on Information Technology & Telecommunications announced on Tuesday that the 5G spectrum auction is under consideration and is likely to be held in March 2025. The committee underscored the need for service providers to ensure high-quality 5G services in major cities following the auction.

The committee recommended that the ministry incentivise service providers in the 5G spectrum auction and ensure these incentives are spent on improving infrastructure to guarantee uninterrupted 5G services nationwide.

The committee’s second meeting, chaired by Syed Aminul Haq, also discussed the “Establishment of Telecommunications Appellate Tribunal Bill, 2024.” This government bill aims to expedite pending telecom sector cases currently stuck in the high court. Once established, the tribunal will handle these cases, with a mandate to deliver decisions within 90 days.

The committee was informed that 71 telecom cases pending before the high court would be transferred to the tribunal after the bill’s passage. Appeals from the tribunal’s decisions will be heard by the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The committee also inquired about the procedure for appointing the tribunal's chairperson and its appointing authority. They recommended the Ministry of IT consult with the Ministry of Law & Justice and present any proposals or amendments at the next meeting. Consequently, the committee deferred the bill until its next session.

During the briefing, the Director of the Universal Service Fund (USF) informed the committee that 1.5% of the revenue from all service providers is allocated to the USF. These funds are used to provide services in underserved and unserved areas, ensuring the availability of data and voice services. The USF also reported that 61 billion rupees were taken by the federal government into the Federal Consolidated Funds in 2015, of which 45 billion are still outstanding. The committee recommended that the ministry write to the government every three months to request the return of these funds.