The Pakistan 5G Auction 2026 is currently facing fresh concerns as the government struggles to finalize the necessary legal directives. Despite the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) and Federal Cabinet giving the “green light” to the framework, the PTA cannot legally initiate bidding until the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication (MoITT) issues the formal policy instructions.4 This administrative gap is pushing the commercial launch of 5G services further into late 2026.
Current Status of Pakistan 5G Rollout (2026)
| Feature | Current Status |
| Cabinet Approval | Granted (Late December 2025) |
| Policy Directive | Pending (Awaiting Federal Issue) |
| Information Memorandum (IM) | To be released post-directive |
| Total Spectrum for Auction | Approximately 600 MHz |
| Expected Auction Date | Mid to Late February 2026 |
Why the Pakistan 5G Auction is Stalled
The primary hurdle in early 2026 is the Missing Policy Directive. The PTA is the executing body, but it lacks the mandate to publish the rules, reserve prices, and rollout obligations without the government’s official document.
Key challenges contributing to the delay include:
- Spectrum Litigation: Nearly 140 MHz of prime spectrum in the 2600 MHz band is currently under legal dispute, although there is no stay order preventing the auction.
- Economic Stability: The government is balancing high spectrum reserve prices with the telecom industry’s capacity to invest.
- Handset Affordability: Telecom operators have warned that without affordable 5G devices, the network rollout might not be commercially viable for the masses.
Expected 5G Rollout Timeline and City Priority
Once the auction concludes, the government aims to launch commercial services within 6 to 7 months. Initial deployment will focus on major provincial capitals and economic hubs.
| Stage | Estimated Timeline |
| Policy Directive Issuance | Late January 2026 |
| PTA Information Memorandum | Early February 2026 |
| Spectrum Auction Execution | Late February 2026 |
| 4G/LTE Network Enhancement | May – June 2026 |
| Commercial 5G Launch | August – September 2026 |
Proposed Spectrum Bands for 5G
The 2026 auction is set to be the largest in Pakistan’s history, offering roughly 600 MHz of additional spectrum across seven different bands. This is a massive jump from the current 274 MHz shared by all operators. The focus will be on the 2600 MHz and 3500 MHz bands for high-speed capacity and the 600-700 MHz bands for wider rural coverage.
Detailed information regarding the bidding process and registration for operators can be tracked at the official PTA website: pta.gov.pk.
Conclusion
The Pakistan 5G Auction 2026 represents a pivotal moment for the country’s digital economy. While the current administrative delays are concerning, the government’s move toward a “technology-neutral” auction means that even before 5G is fully active, existing 4G and 3G services will see a significant boost in quality.For consumers, the wait for 5G continues, but the foundation for a “Digital Pakistan” is finally being laid, provided the policy directive is issued without further hesitation.
This article is for informational purposes only. SmartFixers.pk is not an official government website and is not affiliated with any government department. Readers are advised to verify all information from official government sources before taking any action.
Our editorial team publishes original and informational content for educational purposes only.
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