Pakistan’s mobile sector is preparing for a major shift as regulators move towards the country’s first auction of spectrum for fifth-generation services.
Nearly 80% of mobile phones in Pakistan already support the 2300 MHz and 2600 MHz frequency bands required for 5G operation, according to industry estimates.
These mid-band frequencies form a central part of the Next Generation Mobile Services spectrum auction, which is expected to take place by the end of February 2026.
Sources within the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority say the auction is expected to significantly improve mobile data performance across the country.
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The government has designated 2025–26 as Pakistan’s national transition period for 5G, and the PTA issued the Information Memorandum on January 9, 2026.
The document sets out auction rules, available spectrum blocks and eligibility requirements, giving bidders around 45 days to complete documentation.
The auction is expected to include about 597.2 MHz of spectrum below 6 GHz, covering the 700, 1800, 2100, 2300, 2600 and 3500 MHz bands.
PTA sources said the release of additional spectrum would also improve existing 4G services, with average speeds expected to rise from about 4 Mbps to 20–25 Mbps, particularly in congested urban areas.
