IT ministry formulating policy for spectrum auction

ISLAMABAD: Ministry of Information Technology and Telecom is in the process auctioning of new spectrum to enhance the capacity of mobile broadband services in the country, a senior official said on Tuesday.

The ministry will release next generation mobile services spectrum in 1,800 and 2,100 MHz, secretary of IT ministry Sohail Rajput said, addressing the GSMA roundtable in Spain through a video link.

Rajput said a policy is formulated in consultation with stakeholders. The GSMA’s Mobile World Congress provides an ideal platform for Pakistan and other countries to learn from each other by working together and collaborate at the regional level, which has significant impact across the globe.

The country has more than 181 million mobile subscribers, while overall teledensity of the country stands at 85 percent with over 100 million broadband subscribers, according to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority.

The central bank also recoded increase in the number of registered mobile phone banking users to 9.8 million. The increase in transactions through internet and mobile banking channels have been quite promising, as these channels have provided an easy and round-the-clock alternative to its customers during the COVID-19 pandemic to fulfil their daily financial and banking needs, it said.

Rajput said ministry of IT and telecom highly values GSMA’s contribution in transforming the digital landscape of Pakistan. He said the country has re-energised its digital transformation journey with the launch of Digital Pakistan that aims to enhance connectivity, improve digital infrastructure, increase investment in digital skills, promote innovation, and technology entrepreneurship in Pakistan. He said the government strives to improve its citizens’ quality of life and economic well-being by ensuring availability of accessible, affordable, reliable, universal and high-quality information and communication technology services.