The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has officially invited applications for the auction of spectrum for Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS), including 5G, marking a major step toward the commercial rollout of advanced mobile connectivity in Pakistan in 2026.
According to an official notice issued by PTA, the spectrum auction is being conducted under the provisions of the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-Organization) Act, 1996, and in line with the Policy Directive issued by the Government of Pakistan. The authority has called on both Pakistani and foreign companies to participate in the multiband spectrum auction for technology-neutral NGMS and 5G services across the country.
The available spectrum bands include 700 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2600 MHz, and 3500 MHz. These frequency bands are considered critical for deploying high-speed mobile broadband services, enhancing network capacity, and enabling low-latency applications associated with 5G technology.
PTA confirmed that the spectrum, along with the relevant licenses, will be awarded to successful bidders in accordance with the terms and conditions outlined in the official Information Memorandum (IM). The IM provides comprehensive details regarding eligibility criteria, auction rules, spectrum pricing, payment schedules, and licensing obligations.
Interested applicants can access the Information Memorandum through PTA’s official website as well as the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) website. The authority has emphasized that applications must be complete in all respects and submitted in both hard and soft copy formats, strictly as per the guidelines mentioned in the IM.
Applicants are also required to submit the prescribed pre-bid deposit within the specified date and time mentioned in the Information Memorandum. Incomplete applications or submissions that fail to meet the stated requirements may not be considered for participation in the auction process.
The PTA stated that this spectrum auction is a significant milestone in Pakistan’s digital transformation journey. The introduction of NGMS and 5G services is expected to support innovation, boost economic growth, improve digital inclusion, and enable emerging technologies such as smart cities, IoT, and advanced enterprise solutions.
For further information and clarifications, interested parties can contact the Director General (Wireless Licensing) at PTA Headquarters in Islamabad via the official phone numbers or through the dedicated email address provided for the 5G auction 2026.