Pakistan is set to move a step closer to the launch of 5G services, with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) expected to issue 5G licences to telecom companies later this week following the recent completion of the spectrum auction.
According to PTA officials, the licensing process will be carried out in three stages before the successful operators are formally cleared to roll out 5G services.
In the first stage, telecom companies will be required to submit a bank guarantee to the PTA as part of the licensing requirements.
Officials said that one telecom operator has already submitted the bank guarantee, while the remaining two companies are expected to deposit theirs within the next one to two days.
Each telecom company will have to provide a $15 million bank guarantee to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of the 5G licence.
In the second stage, the 5G licence will be formally approved by the authority, while in the third and final stage, the PTA will conduct a system inspection before issuing the companies the required certification.
Officials said that all three telecom companies that were successful in the auction will be granted their licences simultaneously, indicating that the regulator intends to ensure a coordinated rollout of next-generation mobile services across the country.
The PTA is also expected to hold a formal licence-signing ceremony with the three successful telecom operators.
The event is likely to be held in Islamabad later this week, according to officials.
The development came after the PTA recently completed the 5G spectrum auction, a key milestone in Pakistan’s efforts to modernise its telecom infrastructure and pave the way for advanced mobile connectivity nationwide.