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Pakistan Awards 5G Licences as Operators Begin Phased Rollout

A $507 million sale of 480 MHz followed transparent review, triggering initial launches in Islamabad.

Overview

  • PTA issued 5G licences to Jazz, Zong and Ufone at a ceremony at the Prime Minister’s House attended by Shehbaz Sharif and senior officials.
  • Zong and Jazz activated services in selected areas from Thursday, with Ufone expected to go live in the coming days.
  • Each licensee met financial conditions by depositing a $15 million bank guarantee to advance commercial deployment.
  • Reported licence terms require 1,000 new sites per operator, including at least 200 in remote and underserved areas.
  • Jazz emerged as the largest spectrum holder, securing 700, 2300, 2600 and 3500 MHz bands to raise its total to 284.4 MHz.