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Move To Sell Extra Telecom Spectrum For

Pakistan will begin the process this week of auctioning unused telecom spectrum in hopes of raising around $1 billion. The spectrum in the 1800 and 2100 MHz bands is typically used for 4G LTE networks. Pakistan is anxious to replenish state coffers impacted by the economic slump and reduced tax collections from the pandemic. The upcoming auction is seen as a precursor to any potential 5G launch in Pakistan, which has 85 million 3G/4G subscribers.

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55 views

Move To Sell Extra Telecom Spectrum For

Pakistan will begin the process this week of auctioning unused telecom spectrum in hopes of raising around $1 billion. The spectrum in the 1800 and 2100 MHz bands is typically used for 4G LTE networks. Pakistan is anxious to replenish state coffers impacted by the economic slump and reduced tax collections from the pandemic. The upcoming auction is seen as a precursor to any potential 5G launch in Pakistan, which has 85 million 3G/4G subscribers.

Uploaded by

Chan Zaib Cheema
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Move to sell extra telecom spectrum for $1bn

ReutersUpdated 30 Sep 2020


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Pakistan will this week begin the process of selling unused telecom spectrum in an auction it
hopes will raise around $1 billion and enhance network capacity. — File
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will this week begin the process of selling unused telecom
spectrum in an auction it hopes will raise around $1 billion and enhance network capacity,
said three senior government officials familiar with the matter.

The spectrum is in the 1800 and 2100 MHz bands typically used by operators for 4G LTE (long-
term evolution) networks that offer faster video streaming and internet downloads, said the
officials.

They asked not to be named as they were not authorised to discuss the matter with the media.

The country plans to kick-start the process by laying out plans to retain an international
consulting firm that would design the auction process, and advise on base pricing and other
details, they said, adding that no sale date has yet been set.

Pakistan is anxious to replenish state coffers that have been hit by a slump in the economy and in
tax collections exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.

A spokesman for Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) said the process to hire a
consultant for “Spectrum Auction 2020-21” has been initiated. He declined to give further
details.

The country has some 85 million 3G/4G subscribers, and the upcoming auction is seen as a
precursor to any 5G launch.

The Pakistan telecom market is dominated by Jazz, backed by Netherlands-based Veon Ltd;
Telenor Pakistan, backed by Norway’s state-controlled Telenor; Zong, owned by China Mobile
and Ufone, which is controlled by state-owned Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd.

Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2020

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