Govt ensures completion of spectrum auctions process

ISLAMABAD: In a clear win for the consistency and perseverance of policy, the award process for third auction of Next Generation Spectrum Licenses has concluded completing the process that was started by the current government in 2014. With the relentless leadership and pursuit of Minister of State for IT who spearheaded and made sure that the process stays on course not only has the national exchequer benefitted to the tune of nearly 2 billion US dollars, the broadband market has grown from a mere 3 million in 2013/14 to more than 42 million now. The visible socioeconomic benefits are evident to all and sundry, says a press release.

After the indecisiveness and failure of policy depriving the country of the mobile broadband services during the last government a clear and well laid out professional policy concluded by the Auction Advisory Committee with the right price valuations yielded Rs 119.796 billion (including tax) as a result of the auction conducted in 2014 much greater than the budgetary estimates ever made for the auction. 

The ensuing growth of the market and the proactive professional policy management by all stakeholders led by Minister of State for IT Anusha Rahman as the head of the Auction Advisory Committees ensured that the leftover frequency spectrum lots were further successfully auctioned at winning prices of Rs 48.095 billion and Rs 35.339 billion (including taxes) against budgetary estimates of Rs 45 billion and Rs 75 billion in the FY 2015-16 and FY 2016-17 respectively. So far, Rs 149.913 billion out of the total Rs205.884 billion have been received by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and remaining is due in installments as per process from the auction winners.

It is pertinent to mention that the leadership role of the Auction Committees ensured that right kind of base prices of USD 395 million and USD 295 million for 10 MHz blocks in 2016 and 2017 auctions respectively were concluded and prescribed by the Auction Advisory Committees that led to optimal sale of the scarce asset of the state. 

Other policy provisions prescribed and consistently maintained which the industry also accepted led to this resounding success that has been witnessed. All the spectrum auctions were held keeping in the view the existing market positions, professional spectrum valuations for the available spectrum blocks and requirement for additional spectrum and were very successful in achieving the desired socioeconomic, market need and revenue objectives as per stakeholder agreed market valuations.

While the conduct of the auction process by PTA played its due role the policy path adopted with consultation of all stakeholders led to establishing belief in the market and contributed to success and ensured optimal yield for the national exchequer. 

The minister congratulated the whole nation on successful conclusion of the process that had been started under the manifesto of the government and leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.