5G spectrum auction: NERA presents its report to SAC

ISLAMABAD: National Economic Research Associates Inc (NERA), a US-based international consultancy firm hired by Pakistan for the 5G spectrum auction, presented its report to the Spectrum Advisory Committee (SAC) in a closed-door meeting held here on Friday.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has given a new timeline, i.e., the first quarter of next year, after the SAC missed the December deadline. Well-placed sources revealed to media that chaired by Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, the meeting was attended by committee members including Federal Minister Information Technology and Telecom, Federal Minister Science and Technology, Federal Minister Industries, and Production, Secretary, Finance Division Secretary, IT and Telecom Division, Secretary, Law and Justice Division, Chairman, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Executive Director, Frequency Allocation Board (FAB), Representative of GHQ, Director General (Tech) – ISI and Member Telecom, IT and Telecom Division.

However, all the supporting staff were directed to leave the meeting, which was exclusively attended by committee members.

The Frequency Allocation Board (FAB) has identified 606 MHz of new spectrum across six key bands for Pakistan’s upcoming 5G spectrum auction, a move the government says will mark a major leap toward next-generation connectivity and digital transformation.

According to official information, the newly identified spectrum — in the 700, 1800, 2100, 2300, 2600, and 3500 MHz bands — represents over 200 percent more capacity than the country’s current spectrum holdings, offering a strong foundation for 5G deployment nationwide.

The report also advised on policy recommendations for the Spectrum Auction, comprising auction design and methodology, spectrum base price, duration, and any other relevant terms and conditions.

Sources revealed that the auction advisory committee would hold internal deliberations, which would be followed by approval from the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) and the federal cabinet.