ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja said on Tuesday that Pakistan’s spectrum auction represents a landmark step toward improving digital connectivity and strengthening the country’s digital economy.
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Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Spectrum Auction for Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS)/5G, she noted that Pakistan had witnessed several technological shifts over the years, but the ongoing wave of digital transformation was particularly significant for the nation’s development.
The event was attended by Information Minister Attaullah Tarar; Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb; Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority Hafeez Ur Rehman; along with lawmakers and officials.
Shaza Fatima said multiple institutions collaborated to make the spectrum available for auction, describing the development as a positive step toward adopting next-generation technologies in Pakistan.
She recalled that Pakistan first introduced 3G and 4G services during the tenure of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif between 2014 and 2016. Since then, no major spectrum auction has been held, which contributed to challenges related to internet quality and user experience.
According to the minister, the new auction will not only pave the way for 5G services but also enhance the performance and capacity of existing 4G networks.
She emphasized that fast, dependable, and affordable internet has become a fundamental need, playing a crucial role in sectors such as the economy, agriculture, industry, and national security.
To support telecom infrastructure growth, the government has also abolished right-of-way charges for telecom installations, a move aimed at accelerating fiber network expansion nationwide.
The minister added that a national fiberization plan would soon be introduced, enabling telecom companies to expand their infrastructure after acquiring spectrum.
She explained that the auction framework was developed through consultations with several bodies, including the Spectrum Advisory Committee, the Ministry of Finance, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, and the Frequency Allocation Board.
Shaza Fatima said international telecom organizations had also appreciated Pakistan’s auction model. Positive feedback was received during discussions at the Mobile World Congress, where several countries praised the arrangements.
She said the public could start noticing improvements in 4G services within four to five months after the auction, while 5G services would initially be rolled out in Islamabad and provincial capitals within five to six months.
The minister also acknowledged the contributions of former IT minister Aminul Haq, various government institutions, and the armed forces for facilitating the release of spectrum for commercial use in the national interest.
She said progress in the telecom sector aligns with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s “Digital Nation Pakistan” vision, which aims to expand digitization, equip youth with technology skills, boost IT exports, and promote a cashless economy.
Speaking at the event, PTA Chairman Hafeez Ur Rehman described the auction as a long-awaited milestone. He thanked all institutions involved in making the spectrum available, noting that spectrum allocation had been one of the biggest challenges.
He said the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority and the Frequency Allocation Board worked closely to finalize arrangements, adding that 5G technology would help extend advanced internet services to remote regions.
Calling 5G a “digital highway” and a key driver of Pakistan’s technological future, he said the auction signaled the beginning of a new era of connectivity.
He also highlighted that Pakistan had become the first country in Asia to eliminate right-of-way charges, reducing them from Rs 36,000 per kilometer to zero.
The PTA chairman added that the government had taken major steps to support the telecom sector, and telecom operators were now expected to actively participate in the spectrum auction process.
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