With call drops, slow internet, and buffering videos becoming daily frustrations, the federal government has now formally tasked the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) with conducting a 5G spectrum auction by February 2026.
In a recent interview, Aamir Shahzad, Director General Licensing at PTA, confirmed that preparations are already underway. Behind the scenes, teams are working with dedication on policies, technical frameworks, and auction design to ensure that when 5G finally arrives, it doesn’t just sound good on paper but actually improves people’s everyday digital experience.
Why is 5G So Urgent for Pakistan?
Shahzad was candid about the current state of telecom services:
• Severe quality issues in voice and data
• Slow internet speeds
• Frequent service complaints from users across the country
The core problem, he explained, is spectrum shortage — the invisible “airwaves” that carry mobile signals. Right now, telecom operators in Pakistan collectively use only 274MHz of spectrum. That’s shockingly low for a country of over 240 million people.
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In fact, according to Shahzad, Pakistan ranks last in the world in terms of available telecom spectrum, and is also among the last countries globally to launch 5G.
So, while people keep upgrading to better smartphones and consuming more video, gaming, online classes, and remote work — the network itself hasn’t kept pace.
The Plan: 600MHz of New Spectrum
To fix this, the government plans to release 600MHz of additional spectrum into the market. This is a big jump and is expected to:
• Boost network capacity for existing 4G users
• Lay the foundation for 5G rollout
• Reduce congestion and improve speed and reliability
PTA is currently reviewing a detailed report prepared by an international consultant hired specifically to help design the 5G auction strategy — including band selection, pricing, rollout conditions, and quality benchmarks.
The final auction date will be locked in after the federal government issues its policy directive, which will guide exactly how and on what terms the spectrum is sold.
What It Means for Ordinary Users
If all goes according to plan, Shahzad projects that Pakistan will start seeing “quality broadband” by late 2026. That doesn’t just mean faster YouTube streaming — it could translate into:
• More stable online classes and remote work
• Better performance for e-commerce platforms, fintech apps, and digital payments
• Reliable connectivity for startups, freelancers, and content creators
• Improved telemedicine, online services, and e-governance
For millions of young Pakistanis who live online — whether for education, business, or entertainment — better spectrum and 5G rollout could be the difference between constantly fighting with the signal and finally being able to work and compete at global standards.
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5G Spectrum Auction: A Step Toward Digital Transformation
Shahzad kept on stressing that improved connectivity is not just a technical upgrade — it’s a development necessity.
Expanding spectrum and launching 5G will:
• Support digital transformation across government and private sectors
• Help Pakistan narrow its technology gap with other countries
• Attract foreign investment in IT, telecom, and digital services
• Enable smarter cities, IoT solutions, and advanced industry applications over time
For now, the country is still there in the planning and regulatory phase. But if the auction happens by February 2026 and operators move quickly, Pakistan’s digital landscape could look very different by the end of that year — with fewer complaints, faster internet, and a network finally capable of supporting the ambitions of its people.