Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has informed the Senate Committee on IT and Telecom that the auction for 5G Spectrum faces several challenges. PTA emphasized the need for a larger spectrum for 5G services, while at the same time pointing out key questions regarding its implementation.
A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee for IT and Telecom was held at the House of Parliament on Thursday. PTA officials informed the committee on 5G auction policy and highlighted the requirement of a political directive from the government of the new spectrum.
The officials noted that a trial of 5G was approved in 2017 and an advisory committee has been set up to oversee progress in this regard.
According to the PTA officials, a consultant was hired last November to help with the 5G spectrum planning and a report has already been submitted. They explained that 5G requires additional spectrum, but noticed that more challenges need to be addressed.
The 5G spectrum decision would consider the involvement of three or four key players on the market.
The ministry officials shared with the committee that even after the launch of 5G, not all users would be able to transfer to 5G services immediately, although the spectrum would improve the speeds of 3G and 4G networks. Currently, there are three categories of bands available for telecommunications in Pakistan.
Furthermore, officials from the Universal Service Fund (USF) informed the Committee on Telecom projects in rural areas for the past three years.
They declared that USF’s mandate is to provide telecommunications services in underrated areas. For the past three years, 63 projects were completed in rural areas, which brought important services to different villages.
However, Senator Humayun Mehmood raised concerns about complaints from areas of Balochistan that the USF officials responded by quoting security issues leading to service breaks in certain regions. They also recognized challenges in implementing projects in North and South Waziristan.
The committee chairman also asked about the cause of internet disorders on the highway. The USF officials assured that PTA is currently dealing with the question, with already working in progress to resolve it.
