The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications (MoITT) has formulated a strategic framework and directions for the rollout of 5G technology in Pakistan, proposing that various institutions should begin working in this direction in their particular domains.
The Ministry’s Policy Guidelines recommend that 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 work on the inauguration of 5G in the country.
The Strategic Framework Suggests Availing 840 MHz for International Telecommunication
The strategic framework suggests that for the rollout of 5G, phase-wise availability of at least 840 MHz for foreign mobile telecommunication in low and mid-bands should be made by the end of 2024 or the first half of 2025.
Furthermore, PTA proposed in the strategic framework that the bureau will hire a skilled and notable consultant to make suggestions to the Government of Pakistan on matters such as the investment-friendly spectrum auction design, per MHz spectrum price determination in US dollars or Pakistan rupees, payment terms, installment plan, IMT/5G Spectrum Block sizes, and minimum bandwidth per operator in accordance with international best doings.
Read more: Pakistan Records $829 Million Export Earnings from IT Services in Four Months
As per the strategic framework, a counselor will further finalize recommendations on the number of operators, tenure of approvals, and incentives for auction victors. After suggestions from PTA, PEMRA, FAB, and other stakeholders, the Ministry of IT will conclude the spectrum reframing framework for IMT bands. A Spectrum Reframing Committee comprised of stakeholders should be formed in line with telecom policy 2015.
Ministry of Finance and Stakeholders Will Finalize the Incentives
According to the strategic framework, the Ministry of Finance in consultation with all stakeholders should finalize incentives, which could in fact be reflected in the finance bill 2022. All applicable stakeholders including the Ministry of IT, Ministry of Finance, PTA, and FAB are predicted to work in parallel for the conduct of spectrum auction in 2023. The hiring of the counselor firm and offers by it should be concluded by December 2022.
Source: Pro Pakistani
