The government has kicked off the auction process with 5G services expected to be rolled out shortly after its conclusion.
Bajwa said in a speech to the Senate committee, that the rules and regulations have been communicated with major telcos ahead of the spectrum auction.
The spectrum available will be in the 1800 and 2100 MHz bands and the government has formed an advisory committee for the auction of 5G and has begun work on spectrum identification.
Pakistan has made important progress in the last few years, laying down more than 10,000km of optical fibre cable between 2018-22 which provided high speed internet to more than 1,100 towns and the union councils.
Widespread 5G deployment is expected for 2023 following the substantial growth of Pakistan’s telecom’s industry which has attracted $1.2 billion in foreign investment in the last three years.
Neighbouring country India also announced it would complete a 5G airwaves auction later this year.
Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman confirmed the news during a speech for Indian Union Budget in parliament and said it will bring a roll-out of the next generation telecoms service in 2022-23.
