A Step Closer: PM formally approves 3G policy

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Wednesday approved the 3G policy and directed the cabinet committee to bring the policy before the cabinet for its final approval, according to a press statement. Furthermore, to encourage competition, new international players as well as existing operators would also be invited for licence auction. It was decided that three blocks of 10 megahertz, each out of available 3G spectrums, would be immediately offered for auction and existing operators can participate in this round as well. New players will also be invited, but with the provision that if the new player is successful in the bid, then they would be eligible to resume operation only after March 2013 when moratorium on new licensing as per previous cabinet committee decision would expire. It was also decided that more spectrum would be made available for 3/4G services.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 24^th, 2011.