The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has set a goal to launch 5G in the first quarter of 2023.
Before commercial launch, the authority will complete several stages, including the issue of a strategy plan, the employment of an auction consultant, the finalisation of policy directives by the end of 2022, and the finalisation of incentives in the next finance bill.
The Ministry of IT and Telecommunication (MoITT) has laid out its tentative plan for implementing 5G technology in Pakistan in a draught of the “5G Strategic Plan and Policy Guideline.”
Following feedback and discussions with market participants as well as numerous ministries and authorities, the ministry amended its plans. The spectrum assignment will remain technology-agnostic. The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications (MoITT) may review the Right of Way policy to make telecom network deployment easier.
After receiving recommendations/consultation from PTA, PEMRA, and FAB, the MoITT will approve the Spectrum Re-farming Framework for IMT bands. In accordance with Telecom Policy 2015, the process of spectrum refarming will be carried out through a policy directive and a Spectrum Refarming Committee comprised of MoIT, FAB, PTA/PEMRA, and incumbent users.
According to the proposal, all relevant parties, including MoITT, MoF, PTA, and FAB, would work together to organize the spectrum auction in 2023.
Policy Guidelines
- For optimum use of the IMT spectrum and the early launch of a commercial 5G ecosystem in Pakistan, at least 840 MHz would be made available in phases to boost mobile broadband services.
- The use of IMT in low and mid-bands (including currently licenced spectrum) will be available by the end of 2024 or the first half of 2025 (i.e., after WLL licences expire in 2024), and can be planned according to best practises.
In this regard, the greatest possible spectrum bandwidth shall be made available in the following IMT spectrum bands that have already been approved by the FAB for re-farming and are subject to the re-farming process as outlined in Section 8.5 of the Telecom Policy 2015:
- (B28/n28) 700 MHz
- (B40/n40) 2.3 GHz
- (B41/n41) 2.6 GHz – efforts to clear litigation to be expedited
- (B42-43, B52/n78) 3.5 GHz – 3300 MHz – 3415MHz is available; 3415 – 3600 MHz be made available after completion of re-farming and expiry of WLL Licenses in 2024.
- Available spectrum in (B3/n3) 1800 MHz and (B1/n1) 2100 MHz
- mmWave bands (n257, n258, and n261, etc.) may be made available while its use shall be subject to market demand assessment.
The Frequency Allocation Board (FAB) is responsible for ensuring that the aforementioned spectrum has the widest feasible interference-free bandwidth. MoITT, PTA, FAB, and PEMRA should make every effort to resolve their respective court issues as quickly as possible. The Attorney General’s Office and the Ministry of Law and Justice will lend its full assistance to the vacation of these IMT bands in preparation for the upcoming Spectrum Auction in early 2023.
To read our blog on Syed Aminul Haque – Federal Minister of Information Technology and Telecommunications views about upcoming 5G Technology in Pakistan, click here.
