Government to review 5G spectrum action policy

The federal government is rethinking its 5G spectrum auction policy, which previously focused on generating revenue and auction earnings. The new focus is on rapid rollout of the new technology, infrastructure development, and ensuring widespread 5G connectivity.

Officials say the new strategy values long-term economic and technological progress over short-term profits. The government is reviewing global models like Saudi Arabia’s free-license policy, where telecom companies receive spectrum free of cost in exchange for swift, nationwide service deployment. Pakistan is considering a similar approach, where telecom operators may be offered spectrum without fees but required to ensure full coverage within 2 to 5 years. The Ministry of IT believes that reducing financial barriers will enable telecom providers to invest more in infrastructure, providing a boost to economic growth across key sectors such as health, education, and governance.