The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has confirmed that it will not incorporate a post-auction spectrum trading window into the framework of the upcoming 5G spectrum auction.
The decision comes after stakeholder proposals suggested allowing operators to adjust or trade spectrum holdings after the bidding phase but before final assignment. PTA has rejected these suggestions, maintaining that no post-bid adjustments will be permitted once the auction concludes.
During the consultation process, some industry stakeholders expressed concerns that competitive bidding dynamics could leave operators with fragmented or uneconomic spectrum allocations. They warned that as demand shifts between frequency bands during auction rounds, bidders might secure spectrum blocks that are suboptimal for network efficiency or long-term investment planning.
To mitigate this risk, stakeholders had proposed introducing a temporary trading window or similar flexibility mechanism prior to final spectrum assignment. Such a measure, they argued, would enable operators to rationalise their holdings and ensure more efficient use of allocated spectrum.
However, PTA has decided to proceed without this feature, signaling its preference for a streamlined and structured auction process. The move underscores the regulator’s intent to maintain clarity and finality in bidding outcomes as Pakistan moves closer to rolling out 5G services.
The 5G spectrum auction is widely viewed as a critical step in advancing Pakistan’s digital infrastructure, promising faster connectivity, improved network capacity, and new opportunities in sectors such as fintech, e-commerce, and smart technologies.
