Pakistan’s 5G spectrum auction was scheduled for Tuesday, March 10, 2026, and has since been completed. The government offered 597.2 MHz across six bands—often rounded to “600 MHz”—but operators acquired 480 MHz in the allocation stage. A later report said 60 MHz in the 3500 MHz band remained unsold.
What happened in Pakistan’s 5G spectrum auction?
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) held the NGMS/5G spectrum auction with three qualified operators: Jazz, Ufone, and Zong. The allocation stage concluded after three rounds on March 10, 2026. It determined how much spectrum each operator acquired; a subsequent assignment stage determined the precise frequency positions within the bands.
The auction covered 700, 1800, 2100, 2300, 2600, and 3500 MHz bands. The “600 MHz” in the original headline is a rounded description of the 597.2 MHz offered, not the amount operators bought. (Associated Press of Pakistan, March 9 and 10, 2026: auction schedule and offer; allocation-stage results.)
How much spectrum did each operator acquire?
| Operator | Spectrum acquired in allocation stage |
|---|---|
| Jazz | 190 MHz |
| Ufone | 180 MHz |
| Zong | 110 MHz |
| Total sold | 480 MHz |
The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication was told on February 26 that each participating bidder would have to acquire at least 100 MHz. All three allocation totals exceeded that minimum. The figures above are the allocation-stage results reported by the Associated Press of Pakistan; they do not specify each operator’s final frequency position. (National Assembly committee report; APP allocation-stage report.)
#1 Best Overall
How much revenue did the auction bring in?
Before bidding, the government expected revenue above $634 million, conditional on competition and final prices. After the assignment stage, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported proceeds of $509.6 million, approximately Rs. 142.6 billion. The first figure was a forecast; the second was the reported result, so they describe different stages rather than conflicting final totals. (Radio Pakistan, March 10, 2026; APP, March 13, 2026.)
Before the auction, the three operators had each deposited $15 million in earnest money, for $45 million in total. That was a pre-bid deposit, not the reported auction proceeds. (Radio Pakistan, March 10, 2026: auction schedule and deposit figures.)
Rank #2
- Ideal for Gifting
- Ideal for a bookworm
- Compact for travelling
What spectrum remained unsold?
The assignment-stage report said 60 MHz in the 3500 MHz band remained unsold. That figure is not a breakdown of all 117.2 MHz between the 597.2 MHz offered and the 480 MHz sold: the cited report identifies the unsold 3500 MHz portion but does not account for the entire difference band by band. (APP assignment-stage report, March 13, 2026.)
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Does the completed auction mean 5G is available to consumers?
No. The auction allocated spectrum rights to operators; it does not establish that 5G service is live in a particular city, neighborhood, or on a particular device. The March 12 Radio Pakistan report described a pilot plan and a then-prospective six-to-eight-month horizon for full services in federal and provincial capitals. APP reported that commercial services were expected later in 2026. Those were expectations stated at the time, not confirmation of current launch dates, coverage, speeds, or subscriber experience. (Radio Pakistan, March 12, 2026; APP, March 9, 2026.)
The Ministry of IT described the auction as a historic step for Pakistan’s digital future, a government characterization of the event rather than evidence of consumer service outcomes. (Ministry of IT, March 10, 2026.)
Quick Recap
Best Value
- It can be a gift option
- Comes with secure packaging
- Helpful in various ways
Rank #4
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
