Senate panel told 5G auction issues to be resolved shortly

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), while briefing the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunications on preparedness for the 5G auction, told the committee that the lacunas concerning the 5G auction will be sorted out soon.

The PTA told the committee that the government has constituted an Advisory Committee under the guidance of the finance minister to evaluate the market and spectrum capacity owing to the country’s demands. The Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunications was presided over by Chairperson, Senator Palwasha Muhammad Zai Khan, who received a comprehensive briefing on PTA preparedness for the 5G auction. Officials informed that PTA has conducted trials and completed a market assessment for 5G. The committee was told that 5G requires more spectrum and lacunas concerning the 5G auction will be sorted out soon. The IT Ministry officials told the committee that even after the launch of 5G, not all people will shift to 5G at once. The 5G spectrum, they said, will also speed up 3G and 4G spectrums.

The committee was also briefed on the Universal Service Fund (USF) projects completed in the last three years. Officials stated that USF has completed 63 3G/4G projects across the country in the last three years. These projects have targeted 11,225 Mauzas and benefitted around 21,724,315 individuals.