Pakistan to award 3G and 4G mobile spectrum licenses tomorrow

Cash-strapped Pakistan will award 3G & 4G mobile spectrum licenses to successful bidders tomorrow that is likely to provide Rs 260 billion additional revenue to the exchequer.

The venue and timing of the ceremony has not been revealed due to security reasons.

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) last month had awarded 3G and 4G mobile spectrum to successful bidders after successful auction.

The government raised USD 902.82 million from 3G and USD 210 million for the 4G spectrum.

Winning mobile operators for 3G License include Mobilink, Telenor and Ufone, while Zong was declared successful for both 3G and 4G Licenses.

Pakistan has more than 132 million mobile phone subscribers.
 

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif previously directed Ministry of Information Technology to speed up the introduction process of both 3G and 4G technologies in Pakistan simultaneously to catch up with the rest of the world.

The award of these licenses will provide Rs 260 billion additional revenue to the exchequer and at the same time open up thousands of employment opportunities in the country.