5G spectrum auction
Project
Pakistan's PTA raised $507 million on March 10, 2026, by auctioning 480 MHz of 5G spectrum. Major telcos.
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Counterparts (3)
Buyer
Ufone
company · 1 deals
Ufone is a Pakistani mobile network operator, a subsidiary of PTCL, providing 2G, 3G, and 4G services across Pakistan. It focuses on expanding and modernizing its telecommunications infrastructure, including mobile and fiber optic networks.
Zong
company · 1 deals
Zong is a leading mobile network operator in Pakistan, a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Mobile, providing 2G, 3G, 4G, and enterprise solutions to over 45 million subscribers nationwide. It actively invests in network modernization and digital infrastructure development.
Jazz
company · 2 deals
New Delhi-based infrastructure development and construction company established in 2007, specializing in roads, buildings, water, and power projects across India.
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Deal Analysis
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) concluded its 5G spectrum auction on March 10, 2026, raising $507 million from the sale of 480 MHz of spectrum, with an unusual participant among the buyers. This tender provides the foundational bandwidth for Pakistan's 5G network development, allowing telcos to secure critical infrastructure for future service expansion. The commercial logic for buyers like Ufone and Zong involves positioning for next-generation mobile services and capturing market share in Pakistan. This transaction directly benefits the PTA through substantial revenue generation, while enabling the development stage of 5G across Pakistan.
Among the buyers, Ufone, a Pakistani mobile network operator and subsidiary of PTCL, participated consistent with its focus on expanding and modernizing its telecommunications infrastructure. Zong, a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Mobile, also acquired spectrum, supporting its strategy as a leading mobile network operator serving over 45 million subscribers nationwide in Pakistan. Notably, Jazz, a New Delhi-based infrastructure development and construction company established in 2007, specializing in roads, buildings, water, and power projects across India, also acted as a buyer in this Pakistani telecom auction. This collective acquisition of 5G spectrum by these entities advances the future of digital connectivity in Pakistan.
- Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) raised $507 million from the auction.
- 480 MHz of 5G spectrum was sold on March 10, 2026.
- Jazz, a New Delhi-based infrastructure development company specializing in roads and power projects in India, participated as a buyer in Pakistan.
- Zong, a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Mobile, acquired spectrum in Pakistan.
- Ufone, a Pakistani mobile network operator and PTCL subsidiary, also secured spectrum.
Source Intelligence
KEY DETAILS
In total, 480 MHz of spectrum was sold across multiple bands. Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) put a total of 597 MHz of spectrum on the table, with just over 100 MHz of this going unsold. Spectrum across six frequency bands (700, 1,800, 2,100, 2,300, 2,600, and 3,500 MHz) was up for grabs. Veon subsidiary Jazz secured 190 MHz, while Ufone acquired 180 MHz, and China Mobile-backed Zong snapped up 110 MHz across different bands. Jazz picked up 50 MHz in the 3,500 MHz band, 70 MHz in the 2,600 MHz band, 50 MHz in the 2,300 MHz band, and 20 MHz in the 700 MHz band. Ufone grabbed 120 MHz in the 3,500 MHz band and 60 MHz in the 2,600 MHz band. Zong secured 50 MHz in the 3,500 MHz band and 60 MHz in the 2,600 MHz band. The auction increased the spectrum available to mobile operators from 274 MHz to 754 MHz. Jazz is the biggest carrier in Pakistan with more than 74 million customers. Ufone is the country's second-largest telco. Pakistan has a population of more than 250 million people. Pakistan's government had previously set a target to launch 5G services last summer, though this did not come to fruition.
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Deal Size
The auction, which was conducted over three rounds yesterday (March 10), raised $507 million for the government.
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Location
Pakistan's government has concluded the country's 5G spectrum auction.
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Announcement
March 11, 2026 By Paul Lipscombe
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Signing
The auction, which was conducted over three rounds yesterday (March 10), raised $507 million for the government.
PARTIES MENTIONED IN SOURCE
P
Pakistan's government
seller
"Pakistan's government has concluded the country's 5G spectrum auction."
P
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA)
seller
"Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) put a total of 597 MHz of spectrum on the table"
J
Jazz
buyer
"Veon subsidiary Jazz secured 190 MHz"
U
Ufone
buyer
"while Ufone acquired 180 MHz"
Z
Zong
buyer
"and China Mobile-backed Zong snapped up 110 MHz across different bands."
high quality
Enriched Mar 11, 2026
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Global Infrastructure Sherpa