The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications has developed strategic plans and standards for the country’s 5G debut, recommending that various institutions begin working in this direction in their respective fields.
The Ministry of IT, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), Frequency Allocation Board (FAB), Ministry of Finance, and Ministry of Health should collaborate on the launch of 5G, according to the Ministry’s Policy Guidelines.
According to the guidelines, phase-wise availability of at least 840 MHz for international mobile communications in low and mid-bands by the end of 2024 or the first half of 2025 is required for the launch of 5G.
PTA will appoint a reputable consultant to make recommendations to the Government of Pakistan on issues such as investment-friendly spectrum auction design, per MHz spectrum price determination in US dollars or Pakistan rupees, payment terms, instalment plan, IMT/5G Spectrum Block sizes, and minimum bandwidth per operator, in accordance with international best practices, as proposed in the Guidelines.
A consultant will also finalise suggestions for the number of operators, licence tenure, and auction winners’ incentives.
The Ministry of IT will finalise the spectrum reframing framework for IMT bands after receiving recommendations from PTA, PEMRA, FAB, and other stakeholders. In accordance with telecom policy 2015, a Spectrum Reframing Committee comprised of stakeholders should be constituted.
According to the idea, the Ministry of Finance should develop incentives in conjunction with all stakeholders, which might be represented in the finance bill 2022.
All important players, including the Ministry of Information Technology, the Ministry of Finance, the PTA, and the FAB, are anticipated to work together on the spectrum auction in 2023.
By December 2022, the consultant firm’s recruiting and recommendations should be complete. By the first quarter of 2023, all parties and the government should agree on a commercial launch date.
To read our blog on PTA set a target to launch 5G in early 2023, click here.