Pakistan’s spectrum policy is under fire! 🚨 The GSM Association (GSMA), a global body representing the mobile industry, has issued a stark warning about Pakistan’s approach to spectrum pricing.
According to a new GSMA report, the high cost of spectrum is unsustainable and could slow down digital growth, impacting mobile network expansion and 4G adoption. 📉
Pakistan lags behind regional competitors like Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Indonesia in spectrum availability. If the government doesn’t rethink its strategy, the country risks falling further behind in the global digital race.
🔎 What’s Wrong with Pakistan’s Spectrum Policy?
The GSMA has identified several major issues with Pakistan’s current spectrum approach:
⚠️ Key Challenges
❌ High Spectrum Prices – Past auctions have prioritized government revenue over long-term industry growth.
❌ Unsold Spectrum – In 2014 and 2021, valuable spectrum remained unsold, limiting mobile operators’ ability to expand coverage.
❌ Slow 4G Rollout – Limited spectrum availability has delayed 4G adoption, reducing mobile data speeds and coverage.
❌ Lost Economic Potential – If past auctions had assigned all available spectrum, Pakistan could have gained $300 million (Rs80 billion) for its economy.
📊 GSMA Intelligence warns that if spectrum policies remain restrictive and expensive, Pakistan’s mobile networks will struggle to meet demand, and digital transformation goals may remain out of reach.
🚀 The Way Forward: GSMA’s Recommendations
The GSMA urges Pakistani policymakers to prioritize network expansion rather than maximize government revenue from auctions. The report suggests:
✅ Unlocking Key Spectrum Bands – Utilizing 600MHz, 2.3GHz, 2.6GHz, and 3.5GHz bands to address the country’s spectrum shortfall.
✅ Fair & Affordable Pricing – Ensuring mobile operators can afford spectrum licenses, allowing faster network rollouts.
✅ Faster Auction Processes – Avoiding delays and inefficiencies that lead to unsold spectrum and lost investment.
By making spectrum more accessible, Pakistan can accelerate its Digital Pakistan vision, enhance mobile coverage, and boost the economy. 📈✨
🌍 Why This Matters for Pakistan’s Digital Future
With mobile networks powering everything from e-commerce to fintech and remote education, spectrum policies must align with the country’s digital ambitions.
📢 The message is clear: If Pakistan wants to stay competitive in the global digital economy, it must fix its spectrum policy—before it’s too late!
👉 What are your thoughts on Pakistan’s spectrum challenges? Drop a comment below! 💬📶
