Govt Open to Nationwide 5G Rollout First And Collect Spectrum Fee Later

The federal government is re-evaluating its 5G spectrum auction policy, shifting its focus from high upfront spectrum fees to rapid nationwide service deployment and infrastructure development. Sources within the Ministry of Information Technology told ProPakistani that under the revised approach, the top priority is to ensure 5G access across the country within a short timeframe. Revenue from the auction is now being considered a secondary objective, as the government weighs long-term economic and technological benefits over immediate fiscal gains. Officials involved in the policy review are studying various international spectrum allocation models, including Saudi Arabia’s free license model. In that model, the spectrum is offered to telecom companies at no cost with the binding condition of swift national rollout. The Pakistani government is reportedly assessing this strategy, considering whether waiving spectrum fees could help accelerate the launch of 5G services across all regions and reduce the financial burden on telecom operators. According to sources, if telecom companies are given free access to the spectrum and mandated to ensure universal service coverage within a specific period ranging between two to five years,  Pakistan could achieve rapid digital transformation. The Ministry believes that easing financial barriers will allow companies to invest more in infrastructure and technology, resulting in broader economic benefits across education, healthcare, industry, and governance. Telecom operators have also expressed their preference for a low or zero-cost spectrum model, arguing that expensive spectrum licenses would delay commercial deployment and technological adoption. The federal minister for IT, Shaza Fatima, is reportedly seeking a balanced strategy that secures both public revenue and technological infrastructure growth. Her approach is aimed at promoting sustainable development in the digital sector. The delay in the proposed Ufone-Telenor merger has inadvertently given the government more time to finalize a consensus-driven 5G policy. With the telecom industry undergoing transformation, officials are pushing for a new roadmap that encourages digital inclusion, improves service delivery, and aligns with the broader vision of inclusive technological advancement.