📖 3 min read
EDITORIAL: After years of delay, the holding of the long-awaited 5G spectrum auction on March 10, resulting in the sale of 480MHz of spectrum for USD 507 million, marks a significant step towards expanding Pakistan’s digital infrastructure, and enabling the rollout of next-generation connectivity and technologies. The auction had been repeatedly stalled by legal and regulatory hurdles, with telecom operators also citing unfavourable terms and conditions that the government had proposed in the past. The authorities had failed to hold the last scheduled auction in June, and any further postponements risked serious economic consequences, especially since Pakistan had been reliant on just 274MHz of spectrum since 1997 — far behind regional peers like Bangladesh, which manages 600MHz despite a much smaller population and land area — limiting network capacity, and the quality and reach of digital services. During the auction, the three key bidders — Zong, Jazz and Ufone — competed vigorously for the 2,600MHz band, a critical frequency range for 5G services, while also acquiring spectrum in other bands. Though revenues fell short of the projected USD 634.5 million for 597.2MHz on offer, the sale nevertheless marks significant progress as Pakistan’s total available spectrum now jumps to a much more competitive 754MHz, creating the bandwidth necessary to expand connectivity beyond major urban centres, enhance network performance and unlock new opportunities for digital innovation. A key highlight of the auction was the introduction of the 700MHz band, regarded as critical for long-distance coverage in rural and underserved areas. This potentially paves the way for significantly improved connectivity across rural Pakistan, bringing high-speed internet and digital services to marginalised communities, and opening new vistas for education, healthcare and economic participation in these regions. However, as promising as this is, a somewhat disappointing note is that only Jazz acquired 20MHz in this band, with other operators abstaining. One hopes that future spectrum sales see greater participation in this crucial segment. It is important to realise that the successful spectrum auction is only the first step in what will be a long, demanding process. Rolling out 5G nationwide will require substantial investments in infrastructure, including in high-capacity fibre-optic cables, upgraded towers and denser network grids, even as telecom operators navigate heavy taxation and regulatory burdens. Making 5G a broad economic enabler rather than a premium service for a narrow segment also hinges on affordability in a country still battling a deep digital divide between urban and rural populations, and between those who can access advanced devices and those who cannot. The government’s role, therefore, becomes critical: 5G must be treated as strategic infrastructure, comparable to highways and power grids. That would mean creating an enabling policy environment that encourages substantial investments in key infrastructure, ensures regulatory clarity and integrates digital connectivity into broader economic planning. The country’s digital agenda must be aligned with industrial policy, education, innovation systems and public-sector service delivery. At the same time, the broader innovation ecosystem — start-ups, research institutions and industry — must be provided with the tools and incentives to build technologies that fully leverage the new network capabilities. The true test, then, lies not in the auction itself, but in what follows. Pakistan has often lagged in adopting technological shifts, and this must change. The 5G rollout must be backed by a coherent policy, investments in infrastructure and efforts to expand digital access. Importantly, authorities must also move away from viewing the digital landscape with suspicion, as several measures undertaken in the recent past — imposing an internet firewall, attempting to restrict VPN access, and so on — risk stifling innovation and undermining public confidence in the country’s digital future. If guided by vision, openness and strategic investments, Pakistan’s 5G journey can drive productivity, exports, technological advancements and broad-based economic growth. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
