The Frequency Allocation Board (FAB) has achieved a major breakthrough in advancing Pakistan’s next-generation mobile services (NGMS) by freeing up critical spectrum bands for the upcoming 5G auction and nationwide rollout. Following coordinated efforts with defense authorities, fragments of the 700 MHz and 2300 MHz bands have been released. Additionally, 285 MHz of the globally recognized 3500 MHz mid-band has been reallocated after repurposing Wireless Local Loop (WLL) services.

FAB also undertook extensive nationwide monitoring to detect unauthorized spectrum usage, leading to the dismantling of numerous illegal links by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). They conducted cross-border frequency surveys and coordinated with neighboring countries—including India, Afghanistan, Iran, Oman, and the UAE—to minimize signal interference and ensure smooth 5G deployment.

Read More:

Local Mobile Phone Assembly Surges in Pakistan, Top 10 Brands Revealed

During its 50th meeting, the Board approved a range of frequency bands for the impending 5G auction: 700 MHz (2×15 MHz), 1800 MHz (2×3.6 MHz), 2100 MHz (2×20 MHz), 2300 MHz (50 MHz), 2600 MHz (194 MHz), 3500 MHz (285 MHz), 24 GHz (3.082 GHz), and 39 GHz (4 GHz).

In total, FAB has made 606 MHz of spectrum available; however, 161.6 MHz—especially 140 MHz in the all-important 2600 MHz band—is currently tied up in litigation. Legal disputes also affect portions of the 2100 MHz and 1800 MHz bands, hampering full release and stalling potential operator bidding.

The Advisory Committee overseeing the auction is tackling two major obstacles: the resolution of the PTCL–Telenor merger and the clearance of outstanding legal cases—particularly in the 2600 MHz spectrum. The committee has urged swift action to ensure these challenges don’t derail Pakistan’s 5G ambitions.