Pakistan has raised $1.182 billion through the auction of wireless spectrum to the nation’s largest mobile carriers. The auction was aimed at providing the country’s digital economy a boost and creating tens of thousands of jobs. Several carriers won some spectrum in that auction.
Zong wins 3G and 4G
Pakistan granted Zong 10 Mhz of 3G spectrum and 10 Mhz of 4G spectrum in the auction. Mobilink received 10 Mhz of 3G spectrum, while Ufone and Telenor each received 5 Mhz of 3G spectrum. All of the 3G licenses will be run on the 2100 Mhz band.
Although previously it had been reported that bidding on the 3G licenses could be extended until tomorrow, Pakistani officials completed the entire auction process today. Today’s completion of the auction is seen by many as historical because officials terminated the process prematurely three times in the past.
No changes in final round
This was the last round of auctions for 3G licenses, and there weren’t any changes from the last four auction rounds. The four 3G license lots opened at a price of $885 million. However, Pakistan authorities raised the price of Lot D by $5.9 million and the price of Lot A by $11.92 million at the end of the auction.
After the first round, those bid prices didn’t increase. However, officials raised the price of Lot D at the end of the second round. They increased the price of Lot A at the end of both the third and fourth rounds of the 3G auction. The Pakistan Telecommunications Authority was authorized to raise the price of the bid by between 1% and 3% for each round of the eight-round bidding process
The bidding initially started with three 10 Mhz 3G licenses and two 10 Mhz 4G licenses, although later another lot of 3G spectrum was added. There was a stipulation in the spectrum auction which required that it be added.
