Pakistan’s long-awaited 5G spectrum auction has entered its decisive stage, with leading telecom operators beginning to meet the financial requirements set by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
Two major operators, Ufone and Zong, have each deposited the mandatory pre-bid amount of $15 million with the PTA ahead of the auction scheduled for March 10.
The PTA has set February 27 as the deadline for submitting earnest money. After this date, the regulator will publish the official list of qualified bidders. Industry sources indicate that Jazz is also expected to submit its deposit in the coming days, signaling a strong likelihood of its participation.
Under the auction rules, prospective bidders must deposit $15 million to qualify. For successful bidders, this amount will be adjusted against the final license fee.
Officials have stated that the auction will be considered successful if at least half of the available 597 MHz spectrum—approximately 300 MHz—is sold. Participation from a minimum of three cellular operators is viewed as sufficient to meet this benchmark and ensure competitive bidding. Policymakers and investors are closely monitoring the process, as its outcome is expected to significantly influence the future of next-generation telecom services in the country.
Following the recent acquisition of Telenor Pakistan by Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), which operates Ufone, the number of major telecom operators in Pakistan has effectively been reduced to three. PTA officials said it will become clear after the February 27 deadline whether any new entrant plans to participate in the 5G auction.
According to the auction schedule, the PTA will release the list of qualified bidders on March 3, hold a bidders’ seminar on March 4, and conduct a mock auction on March 5. The final auction on March 10 is expected to mark a significant step toward ultra-fast internet speeds, low-latency services, and the expansion of Pakistan’s digital infrastructure. https://dmtn1.com/pakistans-telecom-giants-deposit-15-million-each-as-5g-auction-enters-final-phase/
