Two major telecom companies, Ufone 4G and Zong 4G, have submitted a combined 30 million dollars as pre bid earnest money for Pakistan’s upcoming 5G spectrum auction.
Each company deposited 15 million dollars with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority before the February 27 deadline.
The 5G auction is scheduled for March 10 and is seen as an important step in upgrading Pakistan’s digital infrastructure. Industry sources say Jazz is also expected to take part in the bidding process.
The government aims to raise more than 634 million dollars from the auction. Officials believe the introduction of 5G services will improve internet speed, reduce network delay, and support new technologies such as smart cities, online education, telemedicine, and digital payments.
5G technology offers much faster data speeds compared to 4G and can connect more devices at the same time. This is important as mobile internet use continues to grow in Pakistan. According to official data, Pakistan has over 190 million mobile subscribers, with a large portion using mobile broadband services.
However, telecom operators have previously raised concerns about high taxes, spectrum pricing, and return on investment. Analysts say the success of the auction will depend on balanced pricing and clear policy support.
If completed successfully, the 5G rollout could strengthen Pakistan’s digital economy, attract investment, and create new business opportunities across different sectors.
