ISLAMABAD: The Armed Forces has provided 30 MHz (2 x 15 MHz) of the 700 MHz band to the government, making a total of about 300 MHz of spectrum available for NGMS/5G spectrum auction in the country.
Sources familiar with the development told the Business Recorder that the Frequency Allocation Board (FAB) has formally approved considering the availability of the maximum possible spectrum, including 2×15 MHz in the 700 MHz band. , is said to be tasked with making recommendations.
Sources revealed that the government has enough spectrum to put up for sale in future spectrum auctions for NGMS in Pakistan. However, mobile operators (CMOs) are taking a cautious approach, citing economic challenges and market uncertainties regarding the launch of his 5G.
Shamshad-led committee may assess and finalize availability of 282 MHz spectrum for auction
An official said the government has spectrum in all ITU bands earmarked for the NGMS auction, i.e. bands of 700, 2100, 2300, 2600, 3300 MHZ and above, which are suitable for 5G.
The same can be provided for auctions that are technology-neutral, i.e. intended for the enactment of 4G in 2100, 2300, and 2600, as well as 5G with relaxed domestic deployment.
The government has already allocated 2×30 MHz of the 2100 band to CMO and an additional 2×15 MHz is up for auction. Moreover, in the 2300 band he has only 5MHz already allocated and 95MHz available.
The government also has 140MHz of the 2,600 MHz band under litigation, which it hopes will be released soon.
While three bands are considered optimal for ramping up 4G and launching 5G in the country, FWA says the remaining 115MHz is available in the 3300-3600 band and 185MHz has already been allocated. This is the best use case.
The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications has also drafted a ‘Frequency Spectrum Refarming Framework’ to dynamically manage spectrum and make it available for new applications such as 4G, 5G, broadband wireless access, and digital broadcasting. . According to Telecom Policy 2015 Section 8.5.1, spectrum shall be reserved if its current use is not ideal and serves the social and economic interests of Pakistan where it is underutilized or if its use is in accordance with the latest international allocation. Rebuilt in case of conflict.
As per the details of this framework, existing users/licensees can completely surrender their spectrum allocation for a particular band and allocate that band to other users.
Spectral reframing is a combination of administrative, financial, and technical measures aimed at completely or partially removing existing frequency allocation equipment from a particular frequency band. The frequency bands may then be allocated to the same or different services.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2024
