Eleven companies have indicated their interest in obtaining consultation services for the next 5G spectrum auction.

According to a statement, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) solicited bids through advertisements in national and international media, as well as the PPRA website.

The PTA will shortlist the firms, and an RFP will be issued to the shortlisted consultants, according to a news release.

On July 15, 2024, the PTA HQs opened an EOI for consulting on the release of the IMT (International Mobile Telecommunications Spectrum) spectrum to promote Next Generation Mobile Broadband Services in Pakistan 2024.

The selected consultant will conduct stakeholder consultations and provide professional analysis and advice to the Government of Pakistan regarding the 5G / IMT auction process and its successful completion in a transparent manner, avoiding collusion and ensuring competition in the auction process.

Previously, the caretaker government stated that 5G services in Pakistan would be launched in July-August 2024.

Addressing the Pakistan Mobile Summit, the country’s inaugural mobile conference, Caretaker Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunications Dr. Umar Saif announced that a 300MHz spectrum would be auctioned up.

“Before the launch of 5G services, the optical fiber network must be upgraded. Currently, only 6,000 mobile towers are connected to optic fiber cables (OFC), out of about 56,000 towers across the country,” he added.