Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has warned that Pakistan is the most spectrum-deficient country in the region, cautioning that without an immediate auction of 5G spectrum, mobile service disruptions and slow data speeds will continue to hamper economic growth.
According to PTA documents, Pakistan ranks last among 16 regional countries, with just 274 MHz of spectrum allocated—far behind Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Bangladesh. The regulator said a successful 5G auction could lift Pakistan’s position to sixth place, significantly improving connectivity and service quality.
PTA estimates that introducing 5G could boost GDP growth by 1.5 to 2.4 percent while creating 3.1 to 13 percent more jobs. The authority also highlighted that a 10 percent increase in mobile broadband penetration delivers substantial economic benefits, with spectrum expansion projected to raise foreign direct investment by 2 percent and exports by nearly 1.9 percent.
The regulator emphasised that spectrum scarcity is a key barrier to digital transformation and urged swift government action, calling the 5G rollout essential for Pakistan’s economic competitiveness and technological future.
