Pakistan’s eagerly awaited 5G spectrum auction is now projected to be postponed by at least four months, largely due to the Competition Commission of Pakistan’s (CCP) prolonged indecision over the proposed merger between Telenor Pakistan and PTCL’s Ufone.
This regulatory deadlock is generating significant ambiguity about which telecom operators will qualify to bid in the upcoming 5G auction.
Inside sources at the Ministry of Information Technology reveal that launching 5G services requires a minimum of three months following the government’s finalization and issuance of policy directives related to the auction.
Unfortunately, the advisory committee tasked with overseeing the auction process has yet to hold its first meeting. Geopolitical tensions, particularly rising hostilities between Pakistan and India, have further complicated the situation, causing delays in crucial decision-making.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) confirmed that the international consultant engaged to prepare for 5G has completed a detailed report.
This comprehensive study explores various possibilities, including whether three or four telecom operators might participate depending on the fate of the Telenor-PTCL merger.
While the technical preparations for the auction are in place, the lack of clear policy guidance continues to stall progress.
Initially, the federal government had outlined an ambitious timeline to introduce 5G services by June 2025.
The roadmap included finalizing policy reforms by March, issuing directives in April, holding the spectrum auction in May, and launching commercial 5G services in June.
Now, with mid-May behind us and no progress from the advisory panel, this schedule looks increasingly unattainable.
Both Telenor and PTCL have openly criticized the CCP for dragging its feet, as their merger application, filed on February 29, 2024, remains under Phase II review.
PTCL has proposed a $1 billion investment and sought support from the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) to accelerate approval.
This ongoing regulatory uncertainty not only hampers the merger but also threatens to derail Pakistan’s broader 5G rollout, putting the country’s digital future at risk.
Why This Matters:
Delaying the 5G spectrum auction could leave Pakistan lagging behind regional peers like India and Bangladesh, who are aggressively expanding their 5G infrastructure.
Experts warn that without timely auction and rollout, Pakistan risks missing out on critical economic and technological benefits associated with 5G, including faster connectivity, enhanced IoT capabilities, and increased foreign investment in the tech sector.
