Information and Technology Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja on Tuesday said that the 5G spectrum auction would be completed early next year, stating that it would pave the way for providing better internet services in the country.

She made the remarks while addressing a press conference alongside Finance Minister Muhammad Aurganzeb in Islamabad. At the outset of the press conference, Aurangzeb said the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) had approved the recommendations of the Spectrum Advisory Committee.

In her remarks, Khawaja said that the recommendations would now be taken to the federal cabinet.

“After that, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) will issue an information memorandum based on which consultations and negotiations will be held with stakeholders and the telecom sector,” she said.

“We are trying to ensure that the auction is completed by the end of January or early February,” she added. Explaining the significance of the development, she said that the internet quality in Pakistan was not at par with international best practices or even the quality in the region.

“The major reason for this is that the spectrum is not available in Pakistan,” she said. The IT minister said that Pakistan’s population of 240 million was operating on a spectrum of 274 MHz.

“This means we are using two lanes for traffic which requires eight, which is why there is congestion, your internet does not work and you face challenges,” she said. “For that reason, the spectrum auction is being carried out.”

The IT minister said that during the auction, additional bands were “being auctioned in Pakistan for the first time, which means for consumers, not only 3G and 4G quality will improve, but it will ensure the rollout of 5G services as well”.

More to follow.