The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has shortlisted 10 international consultants and joint ventures (JVs) for the upcoming 5G spectrum auction, aimed at enhancing Next Generation Mobile Broadband Services across the country. These firms were selected from a pool of eleven submissions, with one—JHK Construction—being excluded after mistakenly submitting an expression of interest (EOI) despite being a construction company.
The PTA plans to complete the 5G auction by April 2025, according to reliable sources. Among the shortlisted firms are Aetha Consulting Ltd & Specure GmbH, Coleago Consulting Limited, and Communicators Globe (Pvt.) Ltd, Cenerva Limited, Detecon Consulting FZ-LLC, VTT Global NE&S, and Frontier Economics Limited.
The terms of reference (ToRs) for these international consultants include developing a strategy to maximize the release of IMT Spectrum and ensuring the proliferation of technology-neutral mobile broadband services. The consultancy will focus on maintaining regulatory consistency, fostering mobile broadband growth, and ensuring the telecommunication sector’s long-term sustainability while contributing to Pakistan’s socio-economic development.
The consultants will also assess the valuation of the spectrum in available bands, with future projections aimed at driving economic growth and attracting foreign investment. This will involve modeling 5G launch strategies based on international and regional best practices, considering use cases specific to Pakistan, and proposing investment-friendly auction designs. Additionally, the consultants will provide recommendations for policy reforms, infrastructure investment, and business sustainability in the telecom sector.
Part of the consultancy will involve comparing Pakistan’s existing cellular/IMT spectrum with regional practices, identifying gaps, and proposing phased auctions for paired and unpaired spectrum across various frequency bands. They will also determine spectrum pricing in USD and PKR with future projections and suggest innovative payment options, including installment plans.
Furthermore, the consultants will address health-related concerns by recommending standards to limit human exposure to electromagnetic fields, particularly in denser 5G networks. A comprehensive report on the spectrum valuation, including base pricing in USD and PKR, will be provided with projections for the next three years.
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