The Telecommunications Authority of Pakistan (PTA) has informed the Senate Committee on you and telecommunications that the auction for the 5G spectrum faces several challenges. The PTA emphasized the need for a larger spectrum for 5G services, while indicating key problems regarding its implementation.
On Thursday a meeting of the Permanent Committee of the Senate and Telecom was held in the Chamber of Parliament. PTA officials informed the Committee on the 5G Auction Policy, highlighting the requirement of a government policy directive for the new spectrum.
The officials indicated that a trial for 5G was approved in 2017, and an advisory committee has been formed to supervise progress in this regard.
According to PTA officials, a consultant was hired in November last year to help in 5G spectrum planning, and a report has already been submitted. They explained that 5G requires an additional spectrum, but pointed out that several challenges must be addressed.
The decision regarding the 5G spectrum would consider the participation of three or four key players in the market.
IT Ministry officials shared with the Committee that even after the launch of 5G, not all users could make the transition to 5G services immediately, although the spectrum would improve the speeds of the 3G and 4G networks. Currently, there are three categories of bands available for the use of telecommunications in Pakistan.
In addition, officials of the Universal Service Fund (USF) informed the Committee on the Progress of Telecommunications Projects in rural areas in the last three years.
They affirmed that the USF mandate is to provide telecommunications services in neglected areas. In the last three years, 63 projects were completed in the rural regions, bringing essential services to several villages.
However, Senator Humayun Mehmood raised concerns about the complaints of the areas in Baluchistan, to which USF officials responded by citing security problems that led to service interruptions in certain regions. They also recognized the challenges to complete projects in the north and south of Waziristan.
The president of the Committee also asked about the cause of Internet interruptions on the highway. USF officials assured that the PTA is addressing the problem, with the work that is already underway to solve it.
