Pakistan's Jazz, Ufone, Zong to bid for 5G spectrum in auction

Pakistan's Jazz, Ufone, Zong to bid for 5G spectrum in auction

Pakistan’s Jazz, Ufone, Zong to Bid for 5G Spectrum in March 10 Auction

Pakistan’s telecom sector is preparing for a pivotal 5G spectrum auction, with major operators Ufone, Zong, and Jazz securing their participation through mandatory pre-bid deposits. Ufone and Zong each submitted $15 million in earnest money to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), totaling $30 million, ahead of the February 27 deadline. Jazz, owned by Veon, is expected to follow suit shortly, ensuring three cellular mobile operators will compete in the auction.

The PTA’s Information Memorandum requires bidders to deposit $15 million to qualify, with the amount adjustable against final license fees for successful participants. The auction, rescheduled to March 10, aims to allocate 597 MHz of spectrum across 700 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2600 MHz, and 3500 MHz bands. The government targets proceeds exceeding $634 million, contingent on competitive bidding and price discovery.

Regulators have set a success threshold of selling at least 300 MHz (50% of the total spectrum). With three bidders, this benchmark is likely to be met, fostering competitive pricing and investor confidence in Pakistan’s digital infrastructure. The auction’s delay—originally scheduled earlier this year—was attributed to the pending merger between PTCL and Telenor Pakistan, finalized in January 2026.

Post-auction obligations include annual investments of $150–200 million per operator for network expansion, including 1,000 new sites and 10% tower upgrades to 5G in the first year. Zong has already secured partnerships with ZTE and Samsung to introduce affordable 5G devices, signaling readiness for commercial deployment.

The auction is seen as foundational for advancing high-speed broadband, low-latency applications, and enterprise solutions, aligning with Pakistan’s broader digital economy goals. With key players committed, the March 10 event marks a critical step in the nation’s 5G rollout.

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