PTA seeks applications to auction Spectrum for mobile

Islamabad: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has invited applications from interested Pakistani and foreign applicants/bidders for the auction of spectrum in 1800 and 2100 MHz bands for mobile services.

The auction of additional spectrum will help to enhance the speed of mobile services across the country.

It sought applications under the provisions of Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-Organization) Act, 1996 and Policy Directive issued by Government of Pakistan, has invited applications from interested Pakistani and foreign applicants/bidders for auction of spectrum in 1800 and 2100 MHz bands.

The Information Memorandum (IM) containing terms and conditions, requirements, and criteria is available on PTA’s website www.pta.gov.pk and PPRA website www.ppra.org.pk.

The Cabinet has approved the auction of extra spectrum across the country, including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir.

It will aid in increasing the internet’s speed. For a long time, telecom businesses have demanded that extra spectrum be auctioned off.

Previously, the government had approved a policy for the auction of extra spectrum.

Earlier, the federal government adopted a three-year “Rolling Spectrum Strategy 2020-2023” to assure higher telecom network speeds.

Furthermore, this is the primary purpose of the Spectrum Master Plan. Meanwhile, the government used worldwide best practices applicable to Pakistan to create a report.

Additionally, the Spectrum Master Plan proposes a future roadmap for spectrum allocation as well as spectrum-related policy evaluations to take place between 2020 and 2023.

The research aided the Ministry of IT & Telecom (MoIT&T), Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), and Frequency Allocation Board (FAB) in developing the three-year rolling Spectrum Strategy – a crucial issue identified in the Telecommunications Policy 2015.

The disclosure of the spectrum roadmap helps commercial operators in their network planning initiatives. It is critical to acknowledge that the speed of change in the sector is quick. It strives to provide the sector with transparency and certainty.

The government will review a plan every three years to ensure that it remains relevant.

The government has created a report with the help of the MoIT&T, PTA, and FAB. The report also includes the results of the International Telecommunications Union’s (ITU) World Radiocommunications Conference (WRC-19).