Tech Desk 
Nov 12, 2025
A 5G sign is seen during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain February 28, 2018. — Reuters
In the wake of the country's long-running internet issues, the federal government of Pakistan is set to convene a crucial meeting of the Auction Advisory Committee later this week to finalise plans for Pakistan's 5G spectrum auction.
The meeting for the 5G spectrum auction will occur later this week or early next week.
The meeting will be centred on discussions to establish the framework for the 5G auction, scheduled for February or March of 2026.
For a swift implementation of Pakistan's first 5G auction, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has engaged a consultant who will present a comprehensive report during the meeting. This report will reportedly outline the auction process and the nationwide rollout strategy for 5G technology.
It's worth noting that the consultant will address both technical and policy aspects to ensure a fair and competitive environment.
Some of the prominent elements of the meeting will include a market readiness assessment, spectrum valuation and pricing strategies, allocation plans, rollout obligations, coverage targets, policy recommendations, and all other factors that are crucial for developing a structured and sustainable auction plan.
Initially, the government had plans to conduct the auction by the end of 2025, but various challenges, including ongoing court cases regarding spectrum allocation and the merger of Ufone and Telenor, have caused delays.
With the PTA actively reviewing the Ufone-Telenor merger, a decision is expected soon and will likely set aside all the hindrances towards the 5G auction.
